Recent advances in the synthesis and applications of magnetic polymer nanocomposites

The rapid growth of the global population, urbanization, and environmental awareness resulted in a significant increase of the demand for clean water. As a result, water pollution associated with industrial activities became a major global concern, and organic pollutants in addition to heavy metals are the main culprits when it comes to industrial waste. Significant advancements were achieved in the last two decades in wastewater purification techniques, and among them, the use of solid adsorbents is probably the process that attracts the most scientific interests. This technique has the advantage of being simple and efficient while remaining cost-effective. This review provides an overview on the different synthesis methods of magnetic particles and corresponding polymer nanocomposites, as well as recent advances in the use of these adsorbents in water decontamination. The deficiencies and challenges pertaining to the application of this type of adsorbent materials at large industrial scales are highlighted and recommendations for future research focus areas are suggested. © 2021 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry