Biocomposites for Wastewater Remediation: Present Trends and Challenges for the Future

Abstract

Population growth and climate change have made the water situation extremely challenging. In this context, reducing water pollution on a global scale and securing water supplies are essential means of reducing water vulnerability. The emergence of nanotechnologies and their proliferation in various sectors, including water, could have beneficial effects by offering creative solutions characterized by increased efficiency. One category of innovative materials that is currently attracting increasing attention in the water sector due to its numerous properties is biocomposite materials. These materials have already demonstrated exceptional performance in removing contaminants such as heavy metals, dyes, and pharmaceuticals from water. They offer several advantages such as easy recovery from aqueous media, increased longevity, and extended treatment times. This chapter describes various biocomposite production techniques and their ability to adsorb pollutants from wastewater. Although the potential is great, obstacles remain, particularly in terms of scalability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact. Therefore, while highlighting the need to develop more effective, sustainable, and cost-effective approaches to large-scale wastewater treatment, this chapter also explores potential research avenues.