Metal Oxide-Based Adsorbents for Removal of Mercury in Aqueous Media: A Mini-Review

Mercury-related products pose a serious environmental and health threat due to increasing industrialization, inadequate removal treatments, and lenient regulations, making mercury removal critically important. Metal oxides are showing great promise for removing mercury from aqueous solution because of their chemical stability, high surface area, and affinity for mercury ions. These oxides enhance mercury adsorption through interactions between mercury and their active sites. This review discusses recent advances in the synthesis and application of metal oxide-based adsorbents, emphasizing their effectiveness in mercury removal and potential for mitigating environmental contamination. Additionally, recommendations are provided to enhance mercury removal efficiency by elucidating the fundamental adsorption mechanisms.