Recent advances in carbonaceous sustainable nanomaterials for wastewater treatments

The challengeable situation prevailing throughout the world is still a question mark regarding safe drinking and cleaning for water, and therefore to be resolved on priority basis in concerning research area. In this regard, advancement of environment-friendly supportable nanomaterials possessing unique benefits such as superior efficiency and selectivity, rich earth-abundance, good recyclability, low-cost producing agency, and achievable stability has become a top priority despite several prominent challenges as well as constraints remaining still unresolved. Carbonaceous nanomaterials especially like activated carbon, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, single-walled carbon nanotubes, and carbon quantum dots have been developed and their application as adsorbents toward wastewater treatment anchored with its purification; graphene (GR) and graphene oxide (GO) derivatives and other carbon-derivative nanomaterials like graphitic carbon nitrides as well as carbon sponges/aerogels have imparted significant contribution for water associated with wastewater treatment and remediation (adsorption, membrane technologies, advanced oxidation processes), especially on the industrial level along with pharmaceutical-laden wastages. This review envelopes developed technologies, methodologies, and surface modifications regarding carbonaceous nanomaterials for removal of pollutants along with ionic metals in an aqueous medium, and proving novelty regarding nanoadsorbents for a variety of issues such as wastewater, drinking water, and groundwater remediation. Additionally, heterojunctions strategies are also addressed with current alarming trends and resolvable challenges pertaining to sustainable carbon and its derivatives unified with substantial appliances while handling and purifying wastewater are suggestively highlighted.