Graphene-oxide-based metal hybrids (GM) are used for the rapid and efficient reduction and removal of toxic adulterants in the environment. The exceptionally high specific surface area, versatile surface chemistry, and exceptional customization efficiency of graphene oxide nanosheets combined with the adaptable chemistry of metal nanoparticles enable the formation of GM hybrid nanocomposites. However, little is known about the architecture of GM nanocomposite engineering, interaction mechanisms, and environmental compatibility. This review aims to describe the environmental performance of graphene oxide–metal hybrids for the removal of environmental pollutants, carbon capture, EMI shielding efficiency, and microbial elimination of engineered graphene oxide composites anchored with metal particles. We also developed an essential link between the material properties of GM nanohybrids and their performance, which identified the fundamental parameters that influence the contaminant removal capability and EMI resistance efficiency. The influence of the thermodynamic parameters of GM on the adsorption of radioisotopes, heavy metals, organic pollutants, and dyes was considered. Finally, we comment on the remaining challenges and provide suggestions for future developments in this field.

The adsorption of Eu(III) on composites synthesised from graphene oxide (GO), maghemite (MGH), and chitosan (CS) has been studied using different approaches. The physicochemical and morphological characteristics of the composites GO-MGH, GO-CS, GO-MGH-CS I, II, and III were determined by XRD, Mössbauer spectroscopy, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and TEM. According to the results of batch experiments, the maximum experimental adsorption capacity was 52, 54, 25, 103, and 102 mg/g for GO-MGH, GO-CS, GO-MGH-CS I, II, and III, respectively. The data obtained are in better agreement with the Langmuir, pseudo-second-order, and pseudo-first-order models only for GO-MGH. Thus, the adsorption of Eu(III) on the composites was a favourable, monolayer, and occurred at homogeneous sites. The nature of adsorption is chemical and, in the case of GO-MGH, physical. Tests of the composites in natural waters showed a high removal efficiency for Eu(III), Pu(IV), and Am(III), ranging from 74 to 100%. The ANFIS model has quite good predictive ability, as shown by the values for R², MSE, SSE, and ARE. The GO-MGH-CS composites with the high adsorption capacity could be promising candidates for the removal of Eu(III) and the pre-concentration of Pu(IV) and Am(III) from natural waters.