A review on polymeric and nanocomposite materials for heavy metal removal from water: bibliometric analysis

The rapid growth of industrial activities led to critical increase in heavy metal contamination in water bodies. This review paper highlights the adsorption efficiency, effectiveness, and environmental sustainability of polymeric composites and nanocomposites to decontaminate wastewater by removing heavy metals (HMs). Recently developed materials such as carbon-based bio-composites, polymer-based hydrogel composites, carbon nanotube-based, graphene-based, metal oxides, and hybrid nanocomposites are critically analysed. Nanocomposites seem to outperform conventional polymeric composites due to their hands-on characteristics, including increased surface area, high efficiency and capacity to remove heavy metals at a molecular level. Review paper presents a novel analysis of polymeric and nanocomposite materials as innovative and eco-friendly adsorbents for HMs removal, focusing on their mechanisms, potential applications, and challenges.

Citation

Haider, M.N., Naveed, M., Shah, A. et al. A review on polymeric and nanocomposite materials for heavy metal removal from water: bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Energy and Water Resources 10, 70 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-026-00499-4

Type

Journal article

Language

en

Description

This is an author's accepted manuscript of an article published by Springer on 14/04/2026, available online: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-026-00499-4 The accepted manuscript may differ from the final published version. For re-use please see Springer's terms and conditions.

ISSN

2538-3604

EISSN

2522-0101

Collections

Faculty of Science and Engineering