Research progress in the environmental application of magnesium hydroxide nanomaterials

At present, multi-pollutant discharge from industrial sources prevails. Advanced synthetic nanomaterials can remove multiple types of pollutants, but they are costly and difficult to put into mass production. Therefore, it is necessary to explore a cost-effective material suitable for various pollutants. Magnesium hydroxide is a naturally-occurring material kinetically stabilized in nanoscale, characterized by its large specific area and considerable active reaction sites, which contributes to the viability of treatment for multiple pollutants. Moreover, its low-cost and eco-friendly properties also favor more extensive utilization in the environmental aspect. It has been proven to show excellent performance in water and air pollution control. Especially in water pollution treatment, it can not only efficiently remove a variety of low-concentration pollutants driven by diversified reaction mechanisms but also constitutes a resource recovery and material recycling route via simple regulation of structure and morphology. In this review, the preparation methods and morphological characteristics of magnesium hydroxide nanomaterials were introduced, and then its application in water pollution treatment, air pollution control was summarized. This review is of guiding significance to further promote the environmental application of magnesium hydroxide and provides a novel, efficient and easy way of managing multiple pollutants.