A comprehensive review of the use of urea-formaldehyde resin composites for the adsorption of organic and inorganic pollutants from wastewater

Pollution of water bodies has raised a serious concern, leading to an immediate need to promote effective treatment technologies that can remove organic and inorganic pollutants from wastewater. The review explores the diverse applications of urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin composites as effective tools for addressing wastewater issues. UF resins show great promise in removing organic and inorganic pollutants such as dyes, phenolic compounds, and heavy metals due to their high adsorption capacity, stability, and cost-effectiveness. Recent advancements in the synthesis and modification of UF resin-based composites, particularly through the incorporation of materials like activated carbon and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, have significantly improved their pollutant-binding efficiency and stability under variable environmental conditions. The review also outlines challenges and prospective trends aimed at developing greener hybrid UF composites with greater performance and minimal environmental impact.