Advances in Lignin-Based Hybrid Nanomaterials as a Sustainable Approach for Water Treatment

Lignin-based hybrid nanomaterials, with their multifunctional and sustainable nature, are emerging as promising materials for a wide range of applications, including energy, water treatment, biomedicine, and catalysis. This chapter will comprehensively review the different approaches to functionalizing lignin and its application in water treatment. The chapter will particularly highlight recent advances in synthesizing lignin-based hybrid nanomaterials such as lignin-based nanoparticles, functionalized lignin nanocomposites, and functionalized lignin polymer nanocomposites. These materials, serving as nano-adsorbent filtration materials, are at the forefront of the battle against organic pollutants (e.g., microplastics), inorganic pollutants (e.g., mercury metal ions), and microorganism contaminants in water, which will also be discussed. The challenges, such as structural variability and factors influencing their contaminant removal capacity, regeneration efficiency, and scalability, will be discussed to guide the future development of high-performance lignin-based hybrid nanomaterials for water purification.