Boron nitride-based nanomaterials as adsorbents in water: A review

Various physical shapes of boron nitride (BN)-based nanoadsorbents such as nanoparticles, fullerenes, nanotubes, nanofibers, nanoribbons, nanosheets, nanomeshes, nanoflowers, and hollow spheres have been broadly considered possible adsorbents owing to their exceptional characteristics such as large surface area, structural variability, great chemical/mechanical strength, abundant structural defects, high reactive sites, and functional groups. In general, adsorption mechanisms vary primarily depending on the characteristics/properties of contaminants/adsorbents and solution chemistry/conditions. Therefore, complete knowledge of the adsorptive performance of BN-based nanomaterials is essential to clarify how they eliminate inorganic and organic contaminants in aqueous solution. This review evaluates the latest broad studies on the adsorption of different inorganic (heavy metals) and organic contaminants (primarily dyes and pharmaceuticals) using BN-based nanomaterials and correspondingly summarizes helpful information for using these nanomaterials in water and wastewater treatment. In addition, recent challenges and potential study requirements for the adsorption of contaminants using BN-based nanomaterials in water treatment activities are considered in brief.