Superhydrophobic magnetic nanomaterials (SHMNMs) are emerging as multifunctional platforms for efficient oil–water separation due to their combination of extreme water repellency, strong oil affinity, and external magnetic responsiveness. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in the design, synthesis, and environmental application of SHMNMs. The theoretical foundations of superhydrophobicity and the physicochemical behavior of magnetic nanoparticles are first outlined, followed by discussion of their synergistic integration. Key fabrication techniques—such as sol–gel synthesis, electrospinning, dip-coating, laser-assisted processing, and the use of biomass-derived precursors—are critically assessed in terms of their ability to tailor surface morphology, chemical functionality, and long-term durability. The review further explores the mechanisms of oil adsorption, magnetic separation, and material reusability under realistic environmental conditions. Special attention is paid to the scalability, mechanical resilience, and environmental compatibility of SHMNMs in the context of water treatment technologies. Current limitations, including reduced efficiency in harsh media, potential environmental risks, and challenges in material regeneration, are discussed. This work provides a structured overview that could support the rational development of next-generation superhydrophobic materials tailored for sustainable and high-performance separation of oil and organic pollutants from water.

Regional water systems face growing pressure from climate variability, water scarcity, and increasingly complex wastewater pollution. These challenges require governance models that integrate institutional coordination with effective technological solutions. This review is based on a structured analysis of peer-reviewed literature indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect, covering publications from approximately 2014 to 2025. The findings show that clearly defined institutional roles, basin-level coordination, stable financing mechanisms, and active stakeholder participation significantly improve governance outcomes. Technological advances such as membrane filtration, advanced oxidation processes, nature-based treatment systems, and digital monitoring platforms enhance treatment efficiency, resilience, and opportunities for resource recovery. Regions differ widely in their ability to adopt these solutions, mainly due to variations in governance coherence, investment capacity, and climate-adaptation readiness. The review highlights the need for policy frameworks that align institutional reforms with technological modernization, including the adoption of basin-based planning, digital decision-support systems, and circular water-economy principles. These measures provide actionable guidance for policymakers and regional authorities seeking to strengthen long-term water security and wastewater management performance.

The purpose of this work was to develop and study catalytically active magnetic composites based on natural clays of Kazakhstan for their use in the process of catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) of organic dyes. The synthesized materials, MnFe₂O₄/Shymkent and MnFe₂O₄/Ural, were obtained by intercalation of Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Mn²⁺ ions into the interlayer spaces of natural aluminosilicates followed by heat treatment at 500 °C. The phase composition, morphology, and functional groups of the studied samples were characterized by the methods of elemental composition, X-Ray phase analysis, scanning electron microscopy, IR Fourier spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The catalytic activity of the modified clays was evaluated in the decomposition reaction of methylene blue (MB) using hydrogen peroxide. To identify the influencing factors, adsorption experiments were conducted, including studying the effect of the adsorbent dose, the effect of pH on the degree of MB removal, and evaluating the activity of modified clays during the CWPO process under mild reaction conditions. The experiments were carried out at an initial dye concentration of C₀ = 50 mg/L, a catalyst dose of 0.25, 0.5, and 2.5 g/L, pH = 3 and 6, and a temperature of 50 °C. It was found that the degree of MB removal in adsorption experiments reaches 70% at a dose of 0.25 g/L and increases to 97.8–99% at 2.5 g/L. In terms of CWPO, with the addition of H₂O₂ complete degradation of MB was achieved within 120 min for MnFe₂O₄/Shymkent and 150 min for MnFe₂O₄/Ural. The high efficiency of the modified clays is explained by the formation of the MnFe₂O₄ ferritic spinel structure, an increase in porosity, specific surface area and hydrophilicity, as well as an improvement in the acid-base properties of the surface. The TGA results showed an increase in the thermal stability and uniformity of the composites. Thus, the developed magnetic composites can be considered as promising materials for the effective removal of organic pollutants from wastewater under mild CWPO conditions.

The escalating global water crisis necessitates the development of efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective remediation technologies. This review highlights bentonite–sawdust-derived carbon composites as a promising class of adsorbents for the removal of diverse water pollutants. The synthesis strategies, physicochemical properties, key interfacial adsorption mechanisms, and adsorption performance toward different pollutant categories are systematically discussed. These hybrid materials exhibit synergistically enhanced properties, including increased surface area, optimized porosity, abundant functional groups, tunable surface charge, and improved structural stability, often outperforming the individual components. Their effectiveness has been demonstrated for both heavy metals (e.g., Cd and Pb) and organic contaminants (e.g., dyes and pharmaceuticals), governed by a combination of ion exchange, electrostatic attraction, π–π interactions, and pore-filling mechanisms. Current challenges related to large-scale production, long-term stability, and regeneration are critically evaluated, and future research directions for the sustainable application of these composites in advanced water treatment systems are outlined.

The development of interface-engineered, multifunctional nanostructured materials with controllable surface and magnetic properties remains a critical challenge in wastewater treatment and environmental remediation. In this work, a novel GO–CoFe₂O₄–Silicone Magnetic Sponge was successfully fabricated through the integration of graphene oxide and CoFe₂O₄ magnetic nanoparticles within a silicone-modified porous sponge matrix. The resulting material combines superhydrophobicity, oleophilicity, high adsorption capacity, and magnetic responsiveness in a single architecture. The prepared sponge exhibited a high water contact angle of 161.5°, confirming its superhydrophobic nature, while maintaining excellent structural integrity during repeated use. Vibrating sample magnetometry revealed clear ferrimagnetic behavior, enabling rapid magnetic manipulation and efficient recovery of the sponge from aqueous media. The GO–CoFe₂O₄–Silicone Magnetic Sponge demonstrated strong adsorption performance toward a wide range of oils and organic solvents, including chloroform, olive oil, toluene, ethanol, acetone, gasoline, and hexane, with adsorption capacities remaining stable over multiple cycles. Furthermore, the sponge showed outstanding separation efficiency exceeding 98.3% for various oil/water and organic solvent/water mixtures, both in batch and continuous vacuum-assisted separation systems. The adsorption capacity and separation efficiency were retained after repeated adsorption–desorption cycles, indicating excellent reusability and durability. Owing to its synergistic combination of surface chemistry, porous structure, and magnetic functionality, the GO–CoFe₂O₄–Silicone Magnetic Sponge represents a promising candidate for practical applications in oil spill cleanup and wastewater treatment.