Electrospun metal oxide based composite nanofibers for adsorptive removal of organic and inorganic pollutants from aqueous solution: A review

Electrospun metal oxide-based composite nanofibers have emerged as a promising solution for the adsorptive removal of organic and inorganic pollutants from aqueous solutions. This review explores the fabrication techniques, morphological characteristics, and functional properties of these nanofibers, highlighting their effectiveness in wastewater treatment applications. However, electrospinning has many shortcomings, including difficulties in producing inorganic nanofibers and a limited number or variety of polymers used in the process. The morphology of electrospun metal oxide-based composite nanofibers is influenced by key parameters such as solution viscosity, polymer concentration, applied voltage, and flow rate. These factors affect fibre diameter, surface area, and porosity, which are critical for optimizing adsorption efficiency. This review summarizes recent advancements in the synthesis and characterization of metal oxide-based composite nanofibers via electrospinning. Furthermore, the adsorption mechanisms involved in the removal of different pollutants, including organic dyes, pharmaceutical molecules, heavy metals, and emerging contaminants, are elucidated. Electrospun metal oxide-based composite nanofibers offer potential for adsorptive removal of pollutants in wastewater treatment. However, challenges remain, including inconsistent morphology, limited understanding of composition synergy, inadequate long-term performance data, scalability issues, and insufficient environmental impact assessments. Addressing these gaps is crucial for optimizing their practical applications.