Adsorption of antibiotics from aqueous media using nanocomposites: Insight into the current status and future perspectives

The increasing presence of antibiotics in aquatic environments necessitates the development of effective remediation strategies. This review comprehensively explores the potential of nanocomposites for antibiotic adsorption. Nanocomposites demonstrate superior performance in antibiotic removal, attributed to their unique properties arising from the combined advantages of the individual components of the composite. The review discussed the factors influencing the adsorption process, encompassing characteristics of both antibiotics and nanocomposites. Mechanisms, kinetics, and equilibrium isotherms were meticulously examined to elucidate the fundamental principles governing antibiotic adsorption. The review identified the dominant mechanisms of the process to be hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions, and electrostatic interactions. Notably, pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models were the most prevalent fit for adsorption kinetics and isotherms, respectively. The importance of thermodynamics in assessing process feasibility was emphasized, with reported data suggesting the spontaneous and exothermic nature of most adsorption processes. Additionally, the review explores the application of computer-aided modeling for optimizing adsorption efficiency. Finally, significant knowledge gaps were identified, and future research directions were highlighted. Ultimately, the adsorption of antibiotics by nanocomposites shows great promise, providing a long-term and practical solution to antibiotics contamination in aqueous environments. However, for nanocomposites to fully realize their potential in addressing the escalating problem of antibiotic contamination, more research and development in this field are essential.