ReviewAdsorption of synthetic organic contaminants by carbon nanotubes: A critical review

•A critical review of ∼80 recent publications on adsorption of ∼100 SOCs by CNTs.•A thorough CNT characterization summary including global CNT market changes.•An in-depth molecular level discussion on adsorption mechanisms of SOCs by CNTs.•A summary of statistical model development studies.

In last ten years, a large number (80+) of articles regarding aqueous phase adsorption of a variety of synthetic organic compound (SOC) by CNTs were published in peer-reviewed journals. Adsorption depends upon the physicochemical properties of the adsorbates and CNTs as well as the background water chemistry. Among all properties reported in the literature, no parameter was reported as solely controlling SOC adsorption by CNTs. In this article, these contributing parameters were reviewed and the associated explanations were discussed. This comprehensive literature survey provides (i) a thorough CNT characterization summary, (ii) a discussion of adsorption mechanisms of SOCs by CNTs and (iii) a summary of the statistical adsorption model development efforts. It also includes discussions of agreements and differences in the literature, and identifies some research needs.