Adsorption of rare earth metals from wastewater by nanomaterials: A review

•Nanomaterials enable efficient rare earth metals adsorption from aqueous solutions.•A review of synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials.•Functional groups on nanomaterials surface influence the adsorption capacities.•Reusability of nanomaterials, especially the magnetic ones, is very promising.•Future research possibilities for rare earth metals removal from real wastewater.