Polymer matrix nanocomposites for heavy metal adsorption: a review

Heavy metals belong to a group of lethal environmental pollutants. Ongoing efforts targeted at safeguarding public health have led to considerable attention being focused on methods that allow efficient extraction of these toxic substances. Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) with their special characteristics are a class of adsorbents that demonstrate high potential for use in heavy metal extraction. As this process of removal is predominantly governed by adsorption, various parameters in PNCs' chemical structure, as well as the metal solutions, can have a significant effect on the adsorption process. Herein, this review undertakes a survey of recently developed PNCs and their metal adsorption studies.