Advances in Magnetic Nanocomposite Adsorbents for Water Remediation: Design, Performance, and Challenges

Water pollution by heavy metals, dyes, and antibiotics is a serious environmental problem. Efficient and recyclable adsorbents are needed. Magnetic nanocomposite adsorbents (MNAs) offer a promising solution. They combine magnetic nanoparticles with various carriers. This gives them high adsorption capacity and easy magnetic separation. This review covers recent progress in MNAs. We focus on three carrier types: carbon-based materials, inorganic minerals, and natural polymers. We analyze common synthesis methods like co-precipitation and hydrothermal synthesis. The synergy between components enhances pollutant removal, however, challenges remain. These include poor selectivity in mixed pollutants and difficult large-scale production. Stability during reuse is also a concern. Future work should aim for greener synthesis and better stability. This review provides useful insights for designing high-performance MNAs for water treatment.