Abstract: The industrial effluents are of great environmental impact not only by volume and high toxicity. Many of these effluents present high organic load, which compromises photosynthesis of algae and, consequently, these water bodies life. In order to minimize the impact of these discharges, many researchers have been focusing on the development of smart and ecofriendly materials that have high capacity for removal of toxic agents. Among these new materials, nanocomposites with fascinating physicochemical properties which facilitate their interaction with the molecules of these aquatic pollutants deserve to be highlighted. The processes of enhancement of these materials through activation (chemical, thermal, electromagnetic) and functionalization, by which the removal capacity of these materials increases greatly, are also of great importance.