{"paper_id":"a7ccd64d-6bb7-43f6-ba92-4da7e33bd0f1","body_text":"Recoverable Rare-Earth–Modified Magnetic Mineral Composites for Simultaneous Ammonium and Phosphate Removal from Eutrophic Waters | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Recoverable Rare-Earth–Modified Magnetic Mineral Composites for Simultaneous Ammonium and Phosphate Removal from Eutrophic Waters Aijia Yu, Hao Yu, Quan Long, Bin Wang, Yinying Qiu, Mingxuan Li This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9310641/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Eutrophication poses a critical challenge to global aquatic ecosystems, with the core difficulty in its remediation lying in the scarcity of sustainable technologies capable of simultaneously and efficiently removing nitrogen and phosphorus while enabling cost-effective recovery. To address this, a novel light rare-earth magnetic composite functional material was synthesized. The study systematically investigated variables including modifying agent type, matrix ratio, preparation conditions, and material dosage on nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficacy. Through optimization, a 60-mesh natural zeolite from Inner Mongolia, modified via ion exchange with 8% NaCl solution for 24 hours and calcined at 500°C, and a modified montmorillonite, prepared by mixing La 2 O 3 with montmorillonite at a 1:1 mass ratio, stirring for 4 hours, and calcining at 500°C, were selected as the optimal precursors. Subsequently, a series of composite materials were successfully fabricated by combining the optimized modified zeolite and montmorillonite with magnetic powder, clay minerals, and a pore-forming agent in specific proportions. Material characterization and adsorption experiments demonstrated that the modification successfully preserved the basic framework structure of the matrices while achieving pore restructuring and active site anchoring. The adsorption processes for nitrogen and phosphorus were dominated by physical adsorption/ion exchange and chemical complexation, respectively, both fitting well with the two-compartment first-order kinetic model. The saturation magnetization of the resulting composites increased linearly with Fe 3 O 4 content, indicating excellent potential for magnetic separation. Among the formulations, the JH3 composite, with a ratio of 9:4:3:2:2, exhibited the best synergistic purification performance in simultaneous adsorption tests. This study successfully developed a light rare-earth composite material possessing both synergistic nitrogen and phosphorus removal capacity and magnetic recoverability. This material offers an efficient and recoverable strategy for eutrophic water remediation, holding significant implications for advancing green and sustainable water treatment technologies. Eutrophication Rare-earth modification Magnetic composites Synergistic nitrogen-phosphorus removal Magnetic recovery technology Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Supplementarymaterial.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {\"props\":{\"pageProps\":{\"initialData\":{\"identity\":\"rs-9310641\",\"acceptedTermsAndConditions\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":true,\"archivedVersions\":[],\"articleType\":\"Research Article\",\"associatedPublications\":[],\"authors\":[{\"id\":625974912,\"identity\":\"432892ff-4ded-404b-822a-8947d5c5dfdd\",\"order_by\":0,\"name\":\"Aijia Yu\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"Southwest University of Science and Technology\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Aijia\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"Yu\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":625974914,\"identity\":\"b839130b-7801-402d-abf5-a6e6983d15ae\",\"order_by\":1,\"name\":\"Hao Yu\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"Southwest University of Science and Technology\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Hao\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"Yu\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":625974915,\"identity\":\"3e32a21d-34eb-48f6-80fb-71fb42569825\",\"order_by\":2,\"name\":\"Quan Long\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"Sichuan Academy of Eco-Environmental Sciences\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Quan\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"Long\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":625974917,\"identity\":\"2f51427b-972a-43ed-b44d-e415e0a7512f\",\"order_by\":3,\"name\":\"Bin Wang\",\"email\":\"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA/0lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDADPoYENoYPMB4PMVrYgFoYZ0BYJGhh5iFGi3z04YOPC9ts8tnYc8we2/w5nDh/fgPjg7dtDPLmOLQYnktLNp7ZlmbZxvPG3Di37XDihmMMzIZz2xgMdzbg0NLDYybNu+2wAZtE7jbp3IbbiRvYGNikedsYEgwO4NLC//03XIvFn9uJ89sY2H/j0yLPw8PGDNfCwHY7seEYA1AEjxYDHjZjad5/aQZsPO+/G/a2/TfecCyxWXLOOQnDDbhs6WF++JnnjI0BP3ta2oMff9Jk5zcfPvjhTZmNPE5bsIgzNgAJCezqQbY04JQaBaNgFIyCUQAFABtJVZtal1nUAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"Southwest University of Science and Technology\",\"correspondingAuthor\":true,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Bin\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"Wang\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":625974921,\"identity\":\"eec288ac-7f79-479a-866c-5f979c913e04\",\"order_by\":4,\"name\":\"Yinying Qiu\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"Southwest University of Science and Technology\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Yinying\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"Qiu\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":625974922,\"identity\":\"a6febac0-233c-450f-b37b-598271a909e5\",\"order_by\":5,\"name\":\"Mingxuan Li\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"Southwest University of Science and Technology\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Mingxuan\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"Li\",\"suffix\":\"\"}],\"badges\":[],\"createdAt\":\"2026-04-03 08:24:57\",\"currentVersionCode\":1,\"declarations\":\"\",\"doi\":\"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9310641/v1\",\"doiUrl\":\"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9310641/v1\",\"draftVersion\":[],\"editorialEvents\":[],\"editorialNote\":\"\",\"failedWorkflow\":false,\"files\":[{\"id\":107486467,\"identity\":\"d44de05f-1cd3-4e0e-a052-6e940cfe7687\",\"added_by\":\"auto\",\"created_at\":\"2026-04-22 02:38:19\",\"extension\":\"pdf\",\"order_by\":1,\"title\":\"\",\"display\":\"\",\"copyAsset\":false,\"role\":\"manuscript-pdf\",\"size\":1495115,\"visible\":true,\"origin\":\"\",\"legend\":\"\",\"description\":\"\",\"filename\":\"ManuscriptFile.pdf\",\"url\":\"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9310641/v1_covered_2bac471b-8561-49c2-9da5-8c75a130017f.pdf\"},{\"id\":107405243,\"identity\":\"14b6e892-573b-41d9-a0c2-ed9657d32786\",\"added_by\":\"auto\",\"created_at\":\"2026-04-21 08:15:13\",\"extension\":\"docx\",\"order_by\":0,\"title\":\"\",\"display\":\"\",\"copyAsset\":false,\"role\":\"supplement\",\"size\":447757,\"visible\":true,\"origin\":\"\",\"legend\":\"\",\"description\":\"\",\"filename\":\"Supplementarymaterial.docx\",\"url\":\"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9310641/v1/57b4d4ed8fae6f9111689813.docx\"}],\"financialInterests\":\"No competing interests reported.\",\"formattedTitle\":\"Recoverable Rare-Earth–Modified Magnetic Mineral Composites for Simultaneous Ammonium and Phosphate Removal from Eutrophic Waters\",\"fulltext\":[],\"fulltextSource\":\"\",\"fullText\":\"\",\"funders\":[],\"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow\":false,\"hasManuscriptDocX\":false,\"hasOptedInToPreprint\":true,\"hasPassedJournalQc\":\"\",\"hasAnyPriority\":false,\"hideJournal\":true,\"highlight\":\"\",\"institution\":\"\",\"isAcceptedByJournal\":false,\"isAuthorSuppliedPdf\":true,\"isDeskRejected\":\"\",\"isHiddenFromSearch\":false,\"isInQc\":false,\"isInWorkflow\":false,\"isPdf\":true,\"isPdfUpToDate\":true,\"isWithdrawnOrRetracted\":false,\"journal\":{\"display\":true,\"email\":\"info@researchsquare.com\",\"identity\":\"researchsquare\",\"isNatureJournal\":false,\"hasQc\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":true,\"externalIdentity\":\"\",\"sideBox\":\"\",\"snPcode\":\"\",\"submissionUrl\":\"/submission\",\"title\":\"Research Square\",\"twitterHandle\":\"researchsquare\",\"acdcEnabled\":true,\"dfaEnabled\":false,\"editorialSystem\":\"\",\"reportingPortfolio\":\"\",\"inReviewEnabled\":false,\"inReviewRevisionsEnabled\":true},\"keywords\":\"Eutrophication, Rare-earth modification, Magnetic composites, Synergistic nitrogen-phosphorus removal, Magnetic recovery technology\",\"lastPublishedDoi\":\"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9310641/v1\",\"lastPublishedDoiUrl\":\"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9310641/v1\",\"license\":{\"name\":\"CC BY 4.0\",\"url\":\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/\"},\"manuscriptAbstract\":\"\\u003cp\\u003eEutrophication poses a critical challenge to global aquatic ecosystems, with the core difficulty in its remediation lying in the scarcity of sustainable technologies capable of simultaneously and efficiently removing nitrogen and phosphorus while enabling cost-effective recovery. To address this, a novel light rare-earth magnetic composite functional material was synthesized. The study systematically investigated variables including modifying agent type, matrix ratio, preparation conditions, and material dosage on nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficacy. Through optimization, a 60-mesh natural zeolite from Inner Mongolia, modified via ion exchange with 8% NaCl solution for 24 hours and calcined at 500\\u0026deg;C, and a modified montmorillonite, prepared by mixing La\\u003csub\\u003e2\\u003c/sub\\u003eO\\u003csub\\u003e3\\u003c/sub\\u003e with montmorillonite at a 1:1 mass ratio, stirring for 4 hours, and calcining at 500\\u0026deg;C, were selected as the optimal precursors. Subsequently, a series of composite materials were successfully fabricated by combining the optimized modified zeolite and montmorillonite with magnetic powder, clay minerals, and a pore-forming agent in specific proportions. Material characterization and adsorption experiments demonstrated that the modification successfully preserved the basic framework structure of the matrices while achieving pore restructuring and active site anchoring. The adsorption processes for nitrogen and phosphorus were dominated by physical adsorption/ion exchange and chemical complexation, respectively, both fitting well with the two-compartment first-order kinetic model. The saturation magnetization of the resulting composites increased linearly with Fe\\u003csub\\u003e3\\u003c/sub\\u003eO\\u003csub\\u003e4\\u003c/sub\\u003e content, indicating excellent potential for magnetic separation. Among the formulations, the JH3 composite, with a ratio of 9:4:3:2:2, exhibited the best synergistic purification performance in simultaneous adsorption tests. This study successfully developed a light rare-earth composite material possessing both synergistic nitrogen and phosphorus removal capacity and magnetic recoverability. This material offers an efficient and recoverable strategy for eutrophic water remediation, holding significant implications for advancing green and sustainable water treatment technologies.\\u003c/p\\u003e\",\"manuscriptTitle\":\"Recoverable Rare-Earth–Modified Magnetic Mineral Composites for Simultaneous Ammonium and Phosphate Removal from Eutrophic Waters\",\"msid\":\"\",\"msnumber\":\"\",\"nonDraftVersions\":[{\"code\":1,\"date\":\"2026-04-21 08:15:06\",\"doi\":\"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9310641/v1\",\"editorialEvents\":[{\"type\":\"communityComments\",\"content\":0}],\"status\":\"published\",\"journal\":{\"display\":true,\"email\":\"info@researchsquare.com\",\"identity\":\"researchsquare\",\"isNatureJournal\":false,\"hasQc\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":true,\"externalIdentity\":\"\",\"sideBox\":\"\",\"snPcode\":\"\",\"submissionUrl\":\"/submission\",\"title\":\"Research Square\",\"twitterHandle\":\"researchsquare\",\"acdcEnabled\":true,\"dfaEnabled\":false,\"editorialSystem\":\"\",\"reportingPortfolio\":\"\",\"inReviewEnabled\":false,\"inReviewRevisionsEnabled\":true}}],\"origin\":\"\",\"ownerIdentity\":\"b092be54-99d7-4375-8566-01bf7a812eb5\",\"owner\":[],\"postedDate\":\"April 21st, 2026\",\"published\":true,\"recentEditorialEvents\":[],\"rejectedJournal\":[],\"revision\":\"\",\"amendment\":\"\",\"status\":\"posted\",\"subjectAreas\":[],\"tags\":[],\"updatedAt\":\"2026-04-21T08:15:07+00:00\",\"versionOfRecord\":[],\"versionCreatedAt\":\"2026-04-21 08:15:06\",\"video\":\"\",\"vorDoi\":\"\",\"vorDoiUrl\":\"\",\"workflowStages\":[]},\"version\":\"v1\",\"identity\":\"rs-9310641\",\"journalConfig\":\"researchsquare\"},\"__N_SSP\":true},\"page\":\"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]\",\"query\":{\"redirect\":\"/article/rs-9310641\",\"identity\":\"rs-9310641\",\"version\":[\"v1\"]},\"buildId\":\"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd\",\"isFallback\":false,\"isExperimentalCompile\":false,\"dynamicIds\":[84888],\"gssp\":true,\"scriptLoader\":[]}","source_license":"CC-BY-4.0","license_restricted":false}