Phytobiomass-based nanoadsorbents for sequestration of aquatic emerging contaminants: An Overview

Nanotechnology that is based on phytobiomass is a technique that has the potential to play a major role in wastewater treatment since it is environmentally friendly, easy to deploy, and cost-effective. This technology employs plant parts such as leaves, flowers, stems, seeds and roots, and agricultural wastes to synthesize nanoadsorbents. These nanoadsorbents have unique properties, such as smaller size, higher surface-volume ratio, magnetic behaviour, thermal stability, selectivity, porous structure, surface functionalization, catalytic properties and target-specific capabilities, which make them an attractive material for removing ‘Emerging Contaminants’ from contaminated water and wastewater. Pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine disruptors, surfactants, disinfectants, flame retardants and pesticides are the various classes of emerging contaminants used almost every day globally. Adsorption is one green and sustainable technology that has shown excellent performance when employing nanoadsorbents to purify contaminated water. It is an effective and efficient technology for removing emerging contaminants that inform polluted water or wastewater to restore water quality. This review aims to summarize the current research progress in the use of different nanoadsorbents synthesized from various plant parts for removing aqueous emerging contaminants. [Display omitted] •Adsorption is a green, cost-effective and accessible removal technology.•Performance of green nanoadsorbents for removing emerging contaminants is reviewed.•Main merits of green synthesis of nanoadsorbents over chemical synthesis are aired.•Phytobiomass-based materials are promising nanoadsorbents for aqueous contaminants.•Major challenges in the green synthesis of nanoadsorbents are highlighted.