Review on nanocomposite materials from cellulose, chitosan, alginate, and lignin for removal and recovery of nutrients from wastewater

Nutrient enrichment of the aquatic system promotes eutrophication, which degrades the aesthetic and economic value of water systems. On the other hand, the global supply of nutrients such as phosphate is dwindling. Hence, from the viewpoint of both eutrophication and sustainable use of nutrients, their removal and recovery from wastewater is critical. Among the various technologies practiced today, adsorption represents an economically feasible, and operationally simple technique. However, to utilize the potential of adsorption, finding effective adsorbents has been an ongoing research process preoccupying scientists. Among the various adsorbents, biopolymer nanocomposites (alginate, cellulose, chitosan, and lignin) showed promising potential. This is due to their abundance, non-toxicity, ease of modification, etc. Hence, in this review article, the utility of this class of adsorbents, particularly for nutrient removal and recovery, is addressed. Further, the various approaches to the modification of biopolymers, and their typical features for the simultaneous removal of nutrients are also discussed.