Clay-Based Nanocomposite Materials Used in Treatment of Wastewater: Recent Advancements, Cost Investigation and Future Perspectives

Urbanization, extensive agricultural activity, increasing industrialization, and populations can contaminate fresh water channels. Therefore, various materials like mineral clay, modified clays, activated carbon, zeolites, and polymeric resins, have been studied as adsorbents for pollutant removal. Nano-clay has gained attention due to its unique properties. This review evaluates recent developments in clay-based nanocomposite systems for pollutant removal, focusing on clay-carbon, clay-polymer, and clay/metallic composites. It discusses their advantages over traditional methods, including enhanced processing, rapid decontamination, selectivity, larger surface area, and cost-effectiveness, with a detailed cost analysis. Additionally, the adsorption mechanism, challenges, and future possibilities were also studied to optimize the efficiency of nanomaterial adsorbent. The review also shows the current trend of research based on clay-based nanocomposites used for wastewater treatment within the 2017–2024 space of time.