Chemical Methods of Heavy Metal Management—Multifunctional Nanomaterials

Effective removal of heavy metals from water and wastewater is essential for human and environmental well-being. Adsorption has become one of the main technologies for wastewater treatment because of its operational flexibility and economic efficiency. The development of nanotechnology is particularly advantageous for water treatment. Today, a new class of nano-adsorbents with multiple functions has emerged. They are able to remove heavy metal ions and have other additional functions. These new materials can effectively improve the ability to treat complex water bodies. This paper discusses recent advancements in multifunctional adsorbents, such as the removal of various pollutants, the development of antibacterial activity, the mechanism of redox adsorption, and critical difficulties in magnetic material recoverability. The limits, research gaps, and application of multifunctional nanomaterials for large-scale heavy metal removal in water treatment are thoroughly reviewed.