Methods of making zirconium basic carbonate are further described which involve titrating an aqueous slurry of sodium zirconium carbonate to a pH of from about 3.5 to about 4.0 with an acidic agent wherein the sodium zirconium carbonate has a moisture content of from about 15% to about 25% LOD in solid form. The process further involves washing the aqueous slurry containing the formed zirconium basic carbonate with water. A novel zirconium basic carbonate is further disclosed which has a minimum adsorption capacity of from about 30 to about 35 mg/PO.sub.4-P/gm SCZ; a minimum HCO.sub.3- content of from about 2 to about 4 mEq HCO.sub.3-gm/SCZ; a leachable Na.sup.+ content of from about 1.5 to about 2.0 mEq Na.sup.+/gm SCZ; and/or a pH range of titrated sodium zirconium carbonate of from about 6 to about 7.