Recent developments in materials used for the removal of metal ions from acid mine drainage

Abstract Acid mine drainage is the reaction of surface water with sub-surface located on sulfur bearing rocks, resulting in sulfuric acid. These highly acidic conditions result leaching non-biodegradeable heavy metals from rock which then accumulate flora, posing a significant environmental hazard. Hence, reliable, cost effective remediation techniques are continuously sought after by researchers. A range materials were examined as adsorbents extraction metal ions acid (AMD). However, these generally have moderate to poor adsorption capacities. To address this problem, researchers recently turned nano-sized enhance area adsorbent when contact solution. Lately, there been developments studying chemistry nano-engineered during adsorption, involved alterations physical and chemical make-up nanomaterials. The resultant engineered nanomaterials proven show rapid rates remarkable capacities for removal wide contaminants AMD compared unmodified brief overview zeolites developent nanosorbents modernly applied magnetic sorbents ion imprinted polymers will be discussed. This work provides thorough insight into mechanism performance nanosorbents, finds common ground between past, present future versatile materials.