Next generation materials for environmental remediation through advanced mechanisms and future perspectives

Escalating environmental pollution and the increasing complexity of contaminants pose significant challenges to conventional remediation technologies, necessitating the development of innovative, sustainable solutions. This review critically examines the role of next-generation materials in environmental remediation and sustainable development, emphasizing their design principles, mechanisms, and practical relevance. Advanced material classes, including nanomaterials, polymeric and composite systems, and emerging functional materials such as metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, and smart hybrid materials are systematically discussed with respect to their structure, property, and function relationships. The review highlights material-enabled remediation strategies for removing organic pollutants, heavy metals, metalloids, and emerging contaminants via adsorption, catalytic degradation, membrane separation, and integrated hybrid approaches. Particular attention is given to mechanistic insights, sustainability considerations, and the incorporation of green synthesis and life cycle assessment. The integration of artificial intelligence, smart sensing, and data-driven optimization for material design and process control is also addressed. Finally, key challenges related to scalability, environmental safety, and real-world implementation are outlined, along with future research directions. Overall, this review underscores the critical importance of material innovation in advancing efficient, scalable, and sustainable environmental remediation technologies aligned with global Sustainable Development Goals.