A comprehensive review of recent advances in the fabrication and applications of polyacrylamide-based hydrogels for water treatment

Today, global freshwater resources are increasingly threatened by rapid population growth and intensified industrial activity, which contribute significantly to the discharge of untreated wastewater into surrounding environments. Rapid urbanization and large-scale industrial expansion have markedly reduced the availability of clean freshwater, elevating water pollution to a major global challenge and further aggravating water scarcity. Polyacrylamide-based hydrogels have attracted significant attention from the scientific community as versatile materials for wastewater treatment, thanks to their promising properties. This review presents a comprehensive overview of recent progress in the synthesis, modification, and environmental applications of polyacrylamidebased hydrogels for the elimination of toxic metal ions and dyes from aquatic systems. Various synthesis approaches, including free radical polymerization & crosslinking, controlled/"living” polymerizations (CRP), (RAFT, ATRP), and grafting techniques, in-situ formation of nanocomposite hydrogels, electrospinning and fiber fabrication, and post-polymer modification (functionalization, anchoring), are critically examined. ... mehrAlso, recently published works on incorporated polyacrylamide-based hydrogels with functional materials, as an effective strategy to improve selectivity, sorption capacity, and reusability, are highlighted. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives related to mechanical and structural, selectivity, reusability and regeneration, environmental risks, and production and scalability are discussed. Overall, this review provides critical insights to direct the rational design of high-performance polyacrylamide-based materials hydrogel adsorbents for sustainable water treatment and environmental remediation.