Porosity of Activated Carbon in Water Remediation: A Bibliometric Review and Overview of Research Perspectives

Abstract

The porosity of activated carbon is crucial for its efficiency in water remediation, directly influencing the adsorption and removal of contaminants. With a structure composed of micro-, meso-, and macropores, its purification capacity is directly related to its specific surface area. We conducted a bibliometric analysis using the Web of Science database and relevant keywords (porosity, water remediation, and activated carbon) in refining 124 articles. Tools such as Vosviewer, Bibliometrics, and Citespace were employed to identify the field’s most influential journals, countries, institutions, and authors. The keyword analysis revealed a growing interest in optimizing activated carbon, focusing on heavy metal removal and enhancing processes, such as adsorption and pyrolysis. However, one of the identified challenges was the mechanical stability of the material, emphasizing the importance of research into new matrices to enable large-scale application. The clusters generated by Bibliometrics and Citespace highlighted emerging trends, such as using polymers and nanoparticles for pollutant capture and developing chemical activation techniques to improve material efficiency. The results reinforce the need for more sustainable and innovative strategies for water treatment, providing valuable insights for future research and technological applications.