Unique comparison of numerous metal hydroxide adsorbers for phosphate was performed.
Cations were systematically varied in a wide range to form LDH and related structures.
Materials were tested in distilled and waste water reaching high adsorption capacity.
Treatment with 0.5 M NaOH was sufficient to recover >90% of the adsorbed phosphate.
ZnFeZr and CaZnFeZr have a high potential for phosphate recovery from wastewater.