Critical Review: Photocatalytic Degradation, Adsorption and Hydrogel Assisted Nanoparticles for Removal of Phenol from Wastewaters

IJEP 46(5): 433-447 : Vol. 46 Issue. 5 (May 2026)

Full Text

Sachin B. Divate and Ravindra Gaikwad*

MGM’S Jawaharlal Nehru Engineering College, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aurangabad – 431 003, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Phenol is a very important chemical compound used across industries, such as pharmaceuticals, dyes, oil and refineries and plastics for the production of valuable products. Phenol and its derivatives are regularly discharged into waterbodies through effluents generated by these industries. This review discusses various nanocomposite photocatalysts used for the photodegradation of phenol from wastewater, as well as nanomaterials used as adsorbents for phenol removal. The effects of process parameters, such as pH, dosing rate and initial concentration on adsorption capacity are thoroughly discussed, alongwith their limitations. Nanomaterials integrated with hydrogels, synthesized using sustainable approaches, have also shown to be a proven technique for efficient removal of phenol from wastewater. Further, the challenges and future prospects for these techniques are addressed by considering various process parameters and scalability.

Keywords

Phenol removal, Adsorption, Photocatalytic degradation, Hydrogel assisted nanomaterials

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