Advances and Emerging Trends in Zeolite-Based Materials for Water–Wastewater Treatment and Soil Remediation: A Quantitative Review

Natural, synthetic, and modified zeolites are widely recognized as versatile materials for environmental remediation due to their high capacity for cation-exchange, adjustable pore structure, and strong chemical stability. These properties enable their effective application in removing diverse contaminants, including heavy metals, ammonium ions, dyes, and various organic pollutants, making them highly relevant in water, wastewater, and soil treatment systems. However, although research in this field has expanded considerably, the overall global development patterns and knowledge structure of zeolite-related studies have not been thoroughly quantified. This study conducts a bibliometric assessment of global research on zeolite applications in water, wastewater, and soil remediation covering the period from 2010 to 2024, using a dataset of 203 peer-reviewed Scopus-indexed publications. The analysis was carried out using VOSviewer to examine publication trends, leading authors, productive countries and institutions, as well as thematic clusters and emerging research directions. The findings indicate a consistent increase in scientific output over the study period, with China, India, Malaysia, and the United States emerging as the most influential contributors in terms of both publication volume and citation impact. Key journals publishing in this area include the Journal of Hazardous Materials, Chemosphere, and Science of the Total Environment. Keyword co-occurrence mapping reveals dominant research themes such as adsorption processes, ion exchange mechanisms, heavy metal remediation, nanostructured materials, and advanced oxidation technologies, highlighting a clear shift toward integrated and hybrid remediation approaches. Overall, the results emphasize the growing significance of modified and composite zeolite materials in enhancing pollutant removal efficiency and supporting sustainable environmental management. This bibliometric evaluation provides a structured overview of the research landscape and offers insights into future directions for zeolite-based remediation technologies.