Adsorptive removal of pharmaceuticals using chemically/physically modified MXene-based nanomaterials in aqueous solution: A review

Abstract

The recalcitrance of specific pharmaceutical subsets to conventional wastewater treatment processes results in their pervasive occurrence at trace levels in aquatic environments and underlying sediments. Adsorption has been considered a straightforward, cost-effective treatment strategy amenable to integration with advanced nanomaterials. MXene-based nano-adsorbents have recently gained attention owing to their two-dimensional (2D) structure, hydrophilic surfaces, and tunable surface terminations. This review summarizes recent advances in pharmaceutical removal using MXene-based adsorbents, with particular emphasis on the effects of chemical and physical modification strategies: surface functionalization, ion intercalation, and hybridization with diverse functional materials (e.g., metal-organic frameworks, magnetic oxides, and graphene derivatives). The influences of key environmental parameters, such as pH, background ions, natural organic matter, initial pharmaceutical concentration, and temperature, are also discussed. The regeneration and reusability of the MXene-based adsorbents are further assessed. Overall, this review provides comprehensive mechanistic insights and practical guidance in the development of MXene-based adsorption systems for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment. © 2024