Review on porous and mesoporous materials for applications in desalination and removal of pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) from water

Abstract The contamination of pesticides and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment poses a significant social concern, particularly in drinking water and wastewater. The growing need for desalination to meet the demand for potable water adds to this challenge, as many water sources contain salt concentrations beyond permissible limits. Pesticides enter water systems primarily through agricultural activities, while pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) originate from various sources, including sewage treatment plants, hospitals, and improper drug disposal. These contaminants pose serious health risks to humans and other organisms, necessitating effective removal methods. Over the past decade, Porous and mesoporous materials, such as synthetic zeolites and mesoporous silica, carbon-based adsorbents, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as powerful material for advanced water purification particularly in removing pesticides and PPCPs from aqueous solutions, as well as in desalinating water due to their tunable pore architectures, high surface areas, and surface functionalization potential. This review critically examines the design, synthesis, performance, and removal mechanisms of these materials in applications spanning adsorption, desalination, and hybrid remediation technologies. Despite the promising performance of these materials, significant research gaps remain. These include a lack of field-scale validation, insufficient exploration of multifunctional hybrid systems (e.g., adsorption-photodegradation), challenges in scalable green synthesis, and limited understanding of material behavior in complex real water matrices. Additionally, the long-term stability, regeneration efficiency, and kinetics under variable operating parameters are not comprehensively understood. Future research must pivot towards the development of recyclable, multifunctional materials, integration of AI-guided material design, and eco-friendly synthesis strategies to enhance scalability and sustainability. This review not only maps the current scientific landscape but also provides a forward-looking perspective to guide the next generation of water treatment technologies using porous and mesoporous materials. The insights provided will help researcher’s select appropriate materials and optimize conditions for effective contaminant removal and water desalination.