A spent fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst containing lanthanum (La) was used as a novel adsorbent for phosphorus (P) in simulated wastewater. The experiments were conducted in a batch system to optimize the operation variables, including pH, calcination temperature, shaking time, solid-liquid ratio, and reaction temperature under three initial P-concentrations (C₀ = 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 mg/L). Orthogonal analysis was used to determine that the initial P-concentration was the most important parameter for P removal. The P-removal rate exceeded 99% and the spent FCC catalyst was more suitable for use in low P-concentration wastewater (C₀ <5.0 mg/L). Isotherms, thermodynamics and dynamics of adsorption are used to analyze the mechanism of phosphorus removal. The results show that the adsorption is an endothermic reaction with high affinity and poor reversibility, which indicates a low risk of second releasing of phosphate. Moreover, chemical and physical adsorption coexist in this adsorption process with LaPO₄ and KH₂PO₄ formed on the spent FCC catalyst as the adsorption product. These results demonstrate that the spent FCC catalyst containing La is a potential adsorbent for P-removal from wastewater, which allows recycling of the spent FCC catalyst to improve the quality of water body.

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