Adsorption Techniques for Aqueous Contaminant Removal
Summary
Adsorption has emerged as a versatile and efficient process for the removal of a broad spectrum of inorganic and organic pollutants from water. This physical and chemical phenomenon relies on the accumulation of contaminants at the interface between a solid phase (adsorbent) and a liquid phase (adsorbate). Advances in material science have yielded a wide array of engineered and naturally derived adsorbents, including biochars, activated carbons, clays, metal-organic frameworks and modified industrial by-products. Tailored surface functionalisation, magnetic separation capabilities and hierarchical porosity have enhanced uptake capacities, selectivities and regeneration potential. Equilibrium analyses commonly employ Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models to characterise monolayer and heterogeneous adsorption, while kinetic studies often invoke pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order expressions to elucidate rate-controlling steps. Thermodynamic parameters further distinguish spontaneous physisorption from chemisorptive regimes. The global significance of adsorption spans potable water treatment, industrial effluent polishing and remediation of emerging micropollutants such as pharmaceuticals, dyes and heavy metals. Practical deployment has progressed from laboratory batch tests to continuous fixed-bed reactors, with growing emphasis on adsorbent reuse through chemical or thermal regeneration. Ongoing research seeks to integrate adsorption into hybrid treatment trains alongside advanced oxidation, membrane filtration and biological processes, thereby maximising contaminant removal while minimising energy and material footprints.
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Adsorption Techniques for Aqueous Contaminant Removal publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in adsorption techniques for aqueous contaminant removal across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Adsorption: The process by which molecules or ions adhere to the surface of a solid phase.
Adsorbent: A solid material engineered or selected for its ability to accumulate contaminants at its surface.
Langmuir isotherm: A model describing monolayer adsorption onto a surface with finite and identical sites.
Freundlich isotherm: An empirical model representing adsorption on heterogeneous surfaces with varying affinities.
Pseudo-second-order kinetics: A kinetic expression indicating that adsorption rate is proportional to the square of the number of unoccupied sites.
Regeneration: The process of restoring adsorbent capacity through chemical, thermal or other treatments.
References
- Removal of Heavy Metals and Metalloids from Water Using Drinking Water Treatment Residuals as Adsorbents: A Review. Minerals (2019).
- Effective Adsorptive Removal of Methylene Blue from Water by Didodecyldimethylammonium Bromide-Modified Brown Clay. ACS Omega (2020).
- Removal of brilliant green dye from synthetic wastewater under batch mode using chemically activated date pit carbon. RSC Advances (2021).
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