Heavy Metal Removal from Aqueous Solutions Using Biomaterials and/or Functional Composites: Recent Advances and the Way Forward in Wastewater Treatment Using Digitalization

Due to its low cost, over the past decades, biosorption technology has been extensively carried out treat heavy metal-laden wastewater using biosorbents. Recent studies on metal mechanisms and simulation of mathematical modeling process have enhanced scientific understanding about binding between target cations functional group different surfaces biomasses as a biosorbent. However, so far, none provided an overview mechanistic removal from aqueous solutions inexpensive To close this knowledge gap, article discusses applicability surface complexation (SC) model for pollutant. Insightful ideas directions future research in treatment digital technologies are also presented. It was conclusive literature survey 115 articles (1987–2023) that Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus nigricans represent biomaterials substantial adsorption capacities, up 200 mg Au(I)/g, 142 Th/g, 166 Pb(II)/g, respectively. The metal-binding involved include ion exchange, complexation, micro-precipitation. Ion exchange is only play key roles sequestering fungal cells with chitin chitosan. X-ray energy dispersion (XED) scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were used evaluate inorganic pollutants physico-chemical characterization cell biomass. As by biosorbent affected properties, occurs. affinity depends type groups such phosphate, carboxyl, amine.