Bibliometric survey of starch-based flocculant research for wastewater treatment

This bibliometric survey explores the applications of starch-based agents in flocculation processes by analyzing 387 documents retrieved from Scopus database spanning the years 2000 to 2024. The data reveals a significant upswing in research on this topic in 2013, evident from a notable increase in citations. Key scientific contributions are found predominantly in Carbohydrate Polymers and the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. China, Malaysia and India emerge as prominent countries in this research domain, with notable contributions from Nanjing University, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia and the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. Despite the expansive research landscape, a noteworthy lack of collaboration among esteemed institutions and individual scholars is observed. The co-occurrence keywords map highlights key research focal points, including the superior performance of starch-based flocculants compared to conventional coagulant/flocculants, surface engineering of starch and associated properties along with concerns regarding sample contamination induced by starch-based flocculants. The article also delves into recent advancements on modifications, performance improvements and the future trajectory of starch-based flocculants in water and wastewater treatment. By analyzing extensive bibliometric data, this survey provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of starch-based flocculation research and areas warranting further exploration.