Synthesis and solubility of hopeite Zn3(PO4)2·4H2O

Minerals from the phosphate groups are used in environmental engineering as thermodynamically stable vehicles for heavy metals such as zinc. The hopeite Zn3(PO4)2·4H2O was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The solubility of the hopeite was measured at 25°C. The average solubility product, log Ksp, for the reaction Zn3(PO4)2·4H2O ⇔ 3Zn2+ + 2PO4 3− + 4H2O at 25°C is –35.72 ± 0.03. The free energy of formation, ΔG°f ,298, calculated from this measured solubility product is –3597.4 ± 1.0 kJ mol−1. The immobilization of zinc in the hopeite structure offers the possibility of developing an effective method for removing Zn from wastewater, water and soils.