A review on nanomaterials for environmental remediation

Abstract

This article gives an overview of the application of nanomaterials in environmental remediation. In the area of environmental remediation, nanomaterials offer the potential for the efficient removal of pollutants and biological contaminants. Nanomaterials in various shapes/morphologies, such as nanoparticles, tubes, wires, fibres etc., function as adsorbents and catalysts and their composites with polymers are used for the detection and removal of gases (SO 2 , CO, NO x , etc.), contaminated chemicals (arsenic, iron, manganese, nitrate, heavy metals, etc.), organic pollutants (aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons) and biological substances, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and antibiotics. Nanomaterials show a better performance in environmental remediation than other conventional techniques because of their high surface area (surface-to-volume ratio) and their associated high reactivity. Recent advances in the fabrication of novel nanoscale materials and processes for the treatment of drinking water and industrial waste water contaminated by toxic metal ions, radionuclides, organic and inorganic solutes, bacteria and viruses and the treatment of air are highlighted. In addition, recent advances in the application of polymer nanocomposite materials for the treatment of contaminants and the monitoring of pollutants are also discussed. Furthermore, the research trends and future prospects are briefly discussed.

Pharmaceutical removal from water with iron- or manganese-based technologies: A review

“…Due to their small size, ranging from 10 to 100 nm, and large specific surface area, nanoscale materials such as nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) can efficiently remove pharmaceuticals via adsorption (Khin et al, 2012). For example, nZVI adsorption can contribute to the removal of carbamazepine (Shirazi et al, 2013), amoxicillin, and ampicillin (Ghauch et al, 2009).…”

Hydrothermal synthesis of optically active fluoride particles doped with rare earth ions in the presence of ethylenediaminetetra acetic acid (EDTA)

“…Sinteza "up" -konvertorskih nanočestica fluorida je moguća metodama koprecipitacije, termičkom dekompozicijom trifluoroacetatnih soli lantanoida i alkalnih metala (u prisustvu površinski aktivnih supstanci tipa oleinske kiseline i oleilamina) i hidro/solvotermalnom sintezom [11]. U cilju kontrole sastava, oblika i veličine čestica veliku primenu imaju i organski aditivi kao što su etilendiamintetrasirćetna kiselina (EDTA), cetiltrimetilamonijum bromid (CTAB) i trinatrijum citrat (TSC).…”

Nanotechnology Solutions for Global Water Challenges

“…Additionally, after the removal of the contaminants, magnetic oxides can be recovered from aqueous media, allowing for a more economical, cost-effective cleaning process (123). In relation to environmental remediation, nanomaterials have proven more effective than standard approaches, an advantage attributed to their elevated reactivity and increased surface-to-volume ratio (124). Such technologies reduce the concentration of contaminants to parts per billion (ppb) levels and aid in meeting water quality standards.…”

“…At present there is an abundance of desalination methods which use nanomaterials as functional components, currently these methods are being developed to market level. CNTs have been evaluated for desalination due to their rapid water transport properties, large surface area and ease of functionalization (124).…”