Nanomaterials from Textile Waste for Purification and Environmental Applications

The growing scarcity of natural renewable resources has accelerated interest in producing nanomaterials from waste streams. Nanomaterials offer exceptional reinforcement capabilities for advanced composites, driving the need for sustainable and scalable production routes. While prior reviews have broadly examined nanomaterial synthesis from biomass or industrial residues, they often overlook textile waste as a strategic feedstock. This review uniquely focuses on the upcycling of textile waste-one of the most abundant yet underutilized waste streams-into high-value nanomaterials, thereby advancing circular economy principles. Unlike earlier studies that primarily discuss energy recovery or generic recycling, this work systematically explores mechanical, chemical, and thermal conversion routes tailored for textiles, leading to the production of cellulose nanofibers, cellulose nanocrystals, and carbon nanoparticles, which represent a significant class of biodegradable nanomaterials. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of the physicochemical properties of the nanomaterials and their emerging applications in water purification and environmental remediation is provided. An alternative pathway for nanomaterial synthesis from waste rather than renewable sources, providing information on the effective extraction of nanomaterials from mixed fiber compositions and dye residues present in textile waste, is also highlighted. By addressing current challenges and outlining future research directions, this review establishes a roadmap for sustainable textile waste valorization, marking a critical step toward eco-friendly nanomaterial production.