Jung, Youngkyun Licto, Ana Gabriela Chuquer Yoon, Su-Jin Jung, Kyung-Won Jeong, Seongpil Lee, Seunghak Cho, Kyungjin Choi, Jae-Woo 2025-05-09T06:00:23Z 2025-05-09T06:00:23Z 2025-05-07 2025-04 2522-0128 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/152383 Efficient phosphate recovery and water disinfection are critical for addressing environmental sustainability challenges. However, conventional nanomaterials have exhibited unsatisfactory performance and limited controllability, complicating their application in wastewater treatment. Here, we propose urchin-like La/Cu-Fe3O4 nanocapsules (NCs) featuring perpendicular La/Cu nanosheets surrounding an Fe3O4 nanosphere core. These NCs were synthesized using high-density adsorption and a controlled crystallization strategy, yielding a hydrotalcite-like structure that enhances phosphate adsorption and disinfection through osmotic pressure-mediated mechanisms. The La/Cu-Fe3O4 NCs exhibited an exceptional phosphate adsorption capacity of up to 1085.56 mg PO43- g(-1), with rapid adsorption kinetics achieving equilibrium within 5 min. Coexisting ions facilitated the penetration of phosphate ions into the NCs, promoting stable binding with La and achieving 100% recovery efficiency at an initial concentration of up to 10 mg PO43- L-1. Additionally, the NCs demonstrated superior disinfection activity, achieving similar to 100% inactivation of total coliform bacteria through Cu-induced contact toxicity. The electromagnetic-field-induced self-assembly of the NCs into bridges enables controlled deployment in aqueous systems to prevent secondary pollution and fouling. This control mechanism facilitates efficient phosphate recovery and water disinfection in continuous flow systems, achieving similar to 100% phosphate recovery efficiency with consistent performance for over 10 consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles with less than 4% efficiency loss. Our study introduces a multifunctional nanomaterial that integrates high-performance phosphate recovery, rapid disinfection, and electromagnetic control, offering a scalable solution for wastewater treatment and resource recovery. English SPRINGER NATURE Electromagnetic-field-sensitive bridges based on urchin-like La/Cu-Fe3O4 nanocapsules for ultra-efficient phosphate recovery and water disinfection Article 10.1007/s42114-025-01303-3 1 Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials, v.8 Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials 8 Y scie scopus 001464138700001 2-s2.0-105002925798 Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Materials Science, Composites Science & Technology - Other Topics Materials Science Article ADSORPTION Electromagnetic control Adsorption kinetics Environmental sustainability La/Cu-Fe3O4 nanocapsules Phosphate recovery Water disinfection