A cost-eff ective adsorbent (AWS@Zr) was synthesized from walnut shell using Zirconium and amino group modifi cation for

the uptake of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and phosphate (PO 4

3− ). Characterization of the adsorbents revealed a

signifi cant diff erence in the physicochemical parameters of pristine and functionalized walnut shell. Langmuir model was

observed to predict adsorption of 2,4-D, while Freundlich model best-fi tted PO 4

3− adsorption with chemisorption being

the principal underlying mechanism. The adsorption phenomena were pH dependent with Langmuir maximum capacity of

227.4 ± 5.4 mg g −1 and 73.9 ± 3.2 mg g −1 for 2,4-D and PO 4

3− , respectively. Kinetic models were also used to analyze the

experimental data, and remarkable determined coeffi cients favor the pseudo-second-order kinetic model for the batch systems.

The column experiments were carried out as a function of adsorbates fl ow rate, initial feed of 2,4-D and PO 4

3− concentration,

bed depth. The results indicated both Thomas and Clark models could predict uptake of 2,4-D and phosphate with

Thomas maximum capacity as 195.5 ± 1.0 for 2,4-D and 87.4 ± 0.7 mg g −1 for PO 4

3− at optimum fl ow rate of 10 mL min −1

and bed depth of 6 cm. Moreover, the column isotherm studies revealed that the Langmuir model predicted the adsorption

data of PO 4

3− , and 2,4-D, which was consistent with batch adsorption of 2,4-D. The studied pollutants onto AWS@Zr are

PO 4

3− > 2,4-D based on the β −1 obtained from the column’s mass transfer analysis. Adsorption–desorption studies revealed

the reusability potentials of AWS@Zr. Zr and amino in surface of AWS@Zr play major role during removal of 2,4-D and

PO 4

3− . There is potential for AWS@Zr to remove some anionic pollutants from solution.