A Comprehensive Review on Novel Adsorbents for the Removal of Nonsteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) From Aquatic Systems

ABSTRACT Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most consumed pharmaceuticals worldwide, used extensively for their analgesic, antipyretic, and anti‐inflammatory properties. However, their widespread use has led to significant environmental concerns due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and resistance to biodegradation. NSAIDs are frequently detected in various aquatic environments, including surface water, groundwater, and even drinking water, with concentrations ranging from nanograms to micrograms per liter. Their presence poses risks to aquatic ecosystems, including endocrine disruption, bioaccumulation in organisms, and toxic effects on aquatic life. Adsorption has emerged as one of the most promising techniques for the removal of NSAIDs from aqueous systems due to its cost‐effectiveness and efficiency. Various adsorbent materials, including activated carbon, metal–organic frameworks, and bio‐based adsorbents, have been employed to enhance the adsorption process. The effectiveness of these adsorbents depends on factors such as surface area, pore size, and chemical interactions with NSAIDs. Studies have explored different adsorption mechanisms, with isotherm and kinetic models applied to understand the adsorption process. Although Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms are commonly used, some NSAIDs show non‐conformance to traditional models, highlighting the complexity of their removal from water.