Quaternized straw supported by La(OH)3 nanoparticles for highly-selective removal of phosphate in presence of coexisting anions: Synergistic effect and mechanism

•Novel quaternized straw loading with La(OH)3 was prepared for phosphate removal.•AM-La showed outstanding selectivity to phosphate in the presence of competing anions.•The stability and selective adsorption mechanisms of AM-La were explored.•Ion exchange, electrostatic attraction, and ligand exchange were main mechanisms.