Optimizing Nanomaterial Selection for Wastewater Treatment: A Multi-Criteria Analysis of Adsorption Efficiency for Methylene Blue and Heavy Metals

Nanotechnology offers promising solutions for wastewater treatment owing to the distinctive physicochemical properties of nanomaterials. However, selecting the most effective nanomaterial for a specific application remains challenging. This study employs multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodologies to facilitate an informed selection process for nanomaterials in wastewater treatment, with a particular focus on the removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the critical factors influencing nanomaterial performance in wastewater treatment. The entropy–Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods were used to quantitatively evaluate these factors. The key factors identified were efficiency, adsorption capacity and contact time. The MCDM analysis provided a quantitative ranking of nanomaterials based on their performance in heavy metal removal from industrial wastewater. This study offers an objective approach to guide the selection of cost-effective and efficient nanomaterials for wastewater treatment. The findings aim to support professionals in making data-driven decisions, ultimately improving treatment processes and outcomes.