Geopolymer-Alginate Composite Beads for Water Treatment: A Systematic Literature Review on Adsorption of Heavy Metals and Organic Contaminants
摘要
Geopolymer-alginate hybrid composite beads have emerged as promising adsorbents for wastewater treatment due to their enhanced porosity, mechanical stability, and functional group interactions, making them effective in removing heavy metals and organic pollutants. However, despite growing interest in these composites, a comprehensive synthesis of existing research regarding their adsorption performance, synthesis parameters, and practical applications remains limited. This systematic literature review aims to address this gap by evaluating peer-reviewed studies published between 2018 and 2025 from databases such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, and SpringerLink. Following the PRISMA protocol, relevant studies were categorized into five key areas: (1) the role of precursor materials and synthesis conditions, (2) adsorption mechanisms and material characteristics, (3) the impact of experimental parameters on adsorption efficiency, (4) adsorption isotherm and kinetic modeling, and (5) research gaps and potential advancements. Findings indicate that geopolymer-alginate composites exhibit high adsorption capacities due to increased porosity, ion-exchange capacity, and functional group interactions. Heavy metal adsorption follows the Langmuir isotherm, while organic pollutants align with the Freundlich model, and adsorption kinetics conform to pseudo-second-order models, indicating chemisorption as the dominant mechanism. Despite promising results, challenges persist regarding material regeneration, long-term stability, and large-scale applicability. Future research should focus on optimizing synthesis conditions, enhancing selectivity through functionalization, and evaluating real wastewater conditions to improve industrial feasibility and wastewater treatment efficiency.