Advancements in nanocomposites for wastewater treatment addressing emerging pollutants and contaminants

The presence of emerging contaminants in wastewater, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and heavy metals, poses significant risks to human and ecological health. Conventional water treatment methods are often inadequate for removing these pollutants. Nanotechnology provides promising solutions through the development of multifunctional nanocomposite adsorbents and catalysts. This review summarizes recent progress on diverse nanocomposites synthesized for removing contaminants from water. Both inorganic nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, metal oxides, quantum dots) and organic nanomaterials (chitosan, polymers) have been incorporated into nanocomposites to enhance absorption capacity, catalytic degradation, and antimicrobial capabilities. Specific examples are presented for nanocomposites containing carbon, boron nitride, metals, metal oxides, and biopolymers. Although challenges remain regarding practical implementation, nanocomposites have demonstrated considerable potential as next-generation technologies for water purification and treatment of complex emerging pollutants. Continued research on nanocomposite fabrication, characterization, and real-world feasibility is still needed to realize the goal of clean, safe water for all. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023.