A review of effective nanoadsorbents made of carbonaceous, metal oxides, and polymer nanocomposite materials for adsorption of pharmaceutical contaminants in wastewater

Water, the most essential element of life, is becoming polluted by the thoughtless disposal of harmful substances into water sources. Organic substances, including pharmaceuticals, medications, colorants, and pesticides, serve many purposes but represent a serious threat to life when discharged into water systems without prior treatment. The effective and environmentally friendly control of pharmaceutical pollutants presents a worldwide dilemma because of their complex chemical compositions, which are typically harmful to living creatures. Moreover, the bulk of therapeutic methods are either ineffective or prohibitively costly. Nanocomposite adsorbents allow for the efficient removal of pharmaceutical contaminants and other pollutants from water due to their extensive surface area and heightened reactivity. Many treatment approaches, including both traditional (such as biodegradation, activated sludge, and adsorption) and more sophisticated (such as membrane, ozonation, and microfiltration) processes, have been studied for the removal of pharmaceuticals. However, adsorption is the most widely used, rapid, efficient, and cost-effective strategy for removing such contaminants, allowing for the accurate selection and removal of a wide range of therapeutic compounds. In addition, the ability to recycle and renew many nanocomposite adsorbents over several cycles is economically efficient and environmentally sustainable. This review aims to highlight recent developments in nanocomposite adsorbents, including metal oxides, polymers, and carbonaceous materials, that have been applied in the removal of pharmaceutical pollutants from water sources. It also discusses the mechanisms of pharmacological adsorption and adsorption capacity of these materials.