Layered double hydroxide polymer nanocomposites for water purification

Water pollution by various contaminants, such as dyes and dangerous heavy metals, is a universal theme for humankind and the eco-environment owing to their high toxicity and perseverance in the environment. Different nanocomposites based on combination of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and other components such as different nanoparticles, carbon-based materials (carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, etc.), or polymer matrices, and so on, have attracted much attention in the field of water purification. Due to some disadvantages in using LDHs alone in pollutant removal, a favorable method has been proposed in recent years which is the preparation of inorganic–organic polymer nanocomposites. Therefore, this chapter reviews the upcurrent state of the evolution of polymer nanocomposites based on LDHs. First, brief explanations are given about the structural features of LDHs which make them suitable for pollutant adsorption. Then, recent research works about the behavior of unmodified and modified LDHs, LDH nanocomposites, and LDH polymer nanocomposites on contaminant remediation are reviewed.