Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocomposites for Water Purification: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Access to clean water has become a global challenge due to increasing contamination by heavy metals, synthetic dyes, organic compounds, and emerging pollutants that are difficult to remove using conventional water treatment technologies. This study reviews the recent advances in the synthesis, characterization, and performance of nanocomposites for water purification through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). The reviewed literature was collected from Google Scholar and limited to publications from the last five years, focusing on synthesis methods, characterization techniques, and the effectiveness of nanocomposites in pollutant removal. The findings indicate that synthesis methods, including sol-gel, hydrothermal, co-precipitation, and green synthesis, significantly influence the crystal structure, morphology, surface area, and chemical properties of nanocomposites. Characterization techniques such as XRD, SEM, FTIR, BET, TEM, and UV–Vis provide comprehensive information regarding the relationship between material properties and purification performance. Nanocomposites exhibit excellent capability for removing heavy metals, synthetic dyes, and organic pollutants through adsorption and photocatalytic mechanisms. Furthermore, their regeneration ability highlights their potential as efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable materials for advanced water purification technologies.