ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

A comprehensive review on the synergistic role of biopolymer–clay–carbon nanocomposites in removing cationic dyes from polluted water

Wissam L. Penyan, Salam H. Alwan, Adil A. Kareem, and Khudhair M. Mahdi

Ministry of Education, Thi-Qar Education Directorate, Thi-Qar, Iraq

E-mail: salamhussein354@gmail.com

Received: 3 November 2025  Accepted: 23 May 2026

Abstract:

The increasing discolouration of the world’s waterways by synthetic dyes is unhealthy for people and ecosystems. Cationic dyes are known for their bright colours, environmental persistence, and potential danger. To overcome this obstacle, biopolymer-clay-carbon nanocomposites are emerging as valuable materials for the removal of cationic dyes. This review provides a scattered overview of recent advancements in this area, with references to background, synthesis, transfer, and mechanisms of dye transport. Biopolymers, including chitosan and cellulose, are combined with carbon nanomaterials or clay minerals to prepare composites of enhanced strength, adsorption performance, and reusability. We discuss the role of hydrogen bonds, pi-pi stacking, and electrostatic interactions in the adsorption process. We also consider thermodynamic and kinetic models. The new concepts for the next generation of smart, multifunctional nanocomposites, green processes for their production, and their applications in water treatment systems are all discussed, including brilliant ideas. Despite significant progress, challenges in long-term stability, scalability, and economic practicality persist. To shift from lab-scale advancement to industrial development, further research will focus on modifying material structure and design, exploring new synthesis routes, and conducting comprehensive performance evaluation under application-controlled conditions. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest progress and remain open to new ideas for developing eco-friendly materials that will help make the world a better place for the next generation.

Keywords: Biopolymer–clay nanocomposites; Carbon nanomaterials; Adsorption mechanisms; Cationic dyes; Kinetic models; Water treatment

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-05108-6

Chemical Papers 80 (11) 12605–12614 (2026)