Mapping Research Trend of Heavy Metal Removal Using Nanomaterials (2016-2025): Bibliometric Analysis Based On Scopus Data, Future Perspective And Challenges

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems is one of the most pressing global environmental challenges of the 21st century. The use of nanomaterials has emerged as a highly promising remediation solution due to their superior characteristics, such as a massive surface-to-volume ratio and high chemical reactivity. This study aims to map research trends and the knowledge structure related to heavy metal removal using nanomaterials over a ten-year period (2016–2025). Through a bibliometric analysis approach based on Scopus data, a total of 573 English-language experimental articles were extracted and comprehensively evaluated using VOSviewer and Microcal Origin Pro software. The analysis results indicate an exponential growth trajectory in publications, with a stabilization phase at a high productivity level occurring between 2021 and 2024. Demographically, China dominates as the largest contributor of publications (224 documents), while India serves as the main hub of multinational research collaboration networks, and Malaysia has the highest research impact (average citations) per document. Keyword co-occurrence mapping confirms three research focus constellations, including adsorbent materials, environmental toxicology evaluation, and the dynamics of physicochemical mechanisms. Currently, the research landscape is beginning to undergo a paradigm shift from fundamental laboratory-scale studies toward green synthesis technology, economic feasibility, and the management of complex co-contaminants. These findings are expected to serve as a strategic reference for overcoming technical barriers to industrial-scale remediation in the future