Abstract
Carbon-based nanomaterials have garnered significant interest as efficient adsorbents for removing organic dyes from wastewater due to their unique physicochemical properties. Carbon nanotubes, graphite, graphene, and activated carbon are among the most studied carbon-based nanomaterials, owing to their large surface areas and high adsorption capacities. These nanoparticles’ surface functionalization and modification can improve their adsorption capabilities, allowing for the selective removal of dyes from complicated wastewater matrices. Several synthesis approaches have been used to modify the characteristics of carbon-based nanomaterials to address specific dye removal needs. The usage of carbon-based nanomaterials for dye removal yields favourable results, providing a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and long-term solution to wastewater treatment. Nonetheless, scale-up, regeneration, and long-term stability issues must be overcome to facilitate industrial-scale adoption. Despite significant advantages, including high adsorption capacity, photodegradation efficiency, reusability, and environmental compatibility, challenges persist in industrial implementation. Production costs, scalability limitations, and economic viability constraints hinder large-scale adoption. Synthesis methods require optimization for cost-effectiveness while maintaining treatment efficiency. Future research should prioritize developing economical synthesis routes, optimizing material properties for specific applications, and establishing standardized evaluation protocols. The integration of waste-derived precursors offers promising opportunities for sustainable treatment solutions. This review provides a comprehensive framework for understanding current capabilities and future directions in carbon-based wastewater treatment, emphasizing both the substantial potential and existing challenges that must be addressed for successful industrial implementation. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text]