Nanocarbons as Potential Tool for the Removal of Pharmaceutical Compounds from Water Resources: An Updated Review

Nanomaterials have been an area of great research for the pollution control in recent decades due to their beneficial properties such as higher efficiency, low cost, easier fabrication, and higher surface area. Nanocarbons have been considered as a promising nanomaterial in remediation of emerging pollutants. Pharmaceutical compounds are one of the major products of healthcare which are present in different environments including water resources. These compounds include several categories of chemicals and medicines such as antibiotics, analgesics, antidepressants, hormones, and anticonvulsants. These pharmaceutical compounds enter the environment through sources such as pharmaceutical effluents, hospital waste, livestock farming, landfill leachate, and aquaculture industry. Considering the environmental and human health concerns associated with these pharmaceutical contaminants, the presented review is focused on understanding the mechanisms of pharmaceuticals removal through carbon-based nanomaterials by the processes such as adsorption and catalysis. In addition, it explores the factors which affect the removal efficiency of the pharmaceuticals by nanocarbons. Moreover, recent advances and emerging technologies such as hybrid materials and composites, smart and responsive nanocarbon systems, membrane technologies and artificial intelligence for predictive performance have been discussed. The review article also provides the information on critical challenges and future perspectives in the research area.