Synergistic Effect of Bimetallic Based Nanocomposites for Removal of Pharmaceutical Compounds in Water Purification: A Review

Abstract Pharmaceuticals are emerging contaminants found in aquatic environments, posing significant risks to human and animal health. The global shortage of potable water, driven by population growth, pollution, droughts, and climate change, poses a significant challenge. Effective water purification is essential, as traditional wastewater treatment often fails to meet the rising demand for safe drinking water under World Health Organization (WHO)and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standards. To address this challenge, nanotechnology has emerged as a vital application in environmental science, particularly in removing pharmaceutical compounds from ecosystems. In recent years, bimetallic nanoparticles (BNP s ), a combination of two dissimilar metal elements at the nanoscale through adsorption and/or catalysis mechanisms have played a vital role because of their large surface area, cost‐effectiveness, improved processability, and fast decontamination. These metallic nanomaterials exhibit enhanced properties compared to their metal precursors, including distinct chemical and physical attributes, synergistic effects, and diverse mechanisms of action. BNPs properties are influenced by size, structure, and morphology, their development as BNP s based composite is a promising direction for effective groundwater and wastewater treatment through adsorption, reduction, and oxidation mechanisms. The main objective discussed in detail in this review is the effectiveness of BNP s in adsorbing pharmaceutical compounds, especially with three categories of drugs: antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, and miscellaneous drug compounds from water; recent advancements in the synthesis of bimetallic nanomaterials; and operational factors affecting the adsorption, adsorption isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamics.