A review of removal technology for antimony in aqueous solution

Antimony (Sb) and its compounds, toxic metalloid, have been classified as high-priority pollutants. Increasing Sb released into the water environment by natural processes and anthropogenic activities, which exposure threatens to human health and ecosystems. Therefore, it is of unquestionable importance to remove Sb from polluted water. Keeping in view the extreme importance of this issue, we summarize the source, chemistry, speciation, distribution, toxicity, and polluted situation of Sb about aqueous solution. Then, we provide the recent and common technology to remove Sb, which are based on adsorption, coagulation/flocculation, electrochemical technology, membrane technology, ion exchange, etc. In this review, we focus in detail on the adsorption method, researchers at present have been investigating to discover more advanced, cost-effective, eco-friendly, reusable adsorbents. However, to date the Sb-containing wastewater treatment technologies are not sufficiently developed and most of research have been tested only in controlled lab conditions. Few reports are available that include field studies and applications. We critically analyzed the salient features and removal mechanisms, evaluating benefits and limitations of these technologies, hoping to provide more references for further research. Finally, we considered the Fe- or Mn-based technologies was the most promising technique to remove Sb for field application.