Recent Advances in Heavy Metal Adsorption via Organically Modified Mesoporous Silica: A Review

Despite the significant advancements in wastewater treatment technologies, the field still lacks a comprehensive synthesis of recent developments in heavy metal removal using functionalized mesoporous silica materials. Adsorption has emerged as a preferred method due to its versatility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Mesoporous silica stands out as a leading adsorbent due to its porous structure and surface modification potential, yet there remains a critical need to systematically analyze and evaluate recent innovations in this rapidly evolving field. This review addresses this knowledge gap by consolidating and critically analyzing the recent literature on functionalized mesoporous silica for heavy metal ion removal from wastewater. Through a detailed examination of the maximum adsorption efficiencies of organically modified mesoporous silica-based materials for various metal ions, with particular emphasis on recent trends in removing heavy metal ions, this work provides a crucial foundation for understanding current capabilities and limitations. Additionally, by identifying patterns in synthesis methods, surface functionalization strategies, and performance metrics across different studies, this review offers valuable insights into optimization opportunities and unexplored research directions. The systematic compilation and analysis of these data will serve as an essential resource for researchers working to advance the design and application of modified mesoporous silica for diverse water pollutant removal applications.