Nanotechnology and its Application in Water Treatment: A Review
Abstract
Environmental pollution, mainly caused by toxic chemicals, includes air, water, and soil pollution. This pollution results not only in the destruction of biodiversity, but also the degradation of human health. Pollution levels that are increasing day by day need better developments or technological discoveries immediately. In this sense, Nanotechnology, is the production and art of operating matter at the nanoscale (1–100 nm), offers the potential of novel nanomaterials for treatment of surface water, groundwater, and wastewater contaminated by toxic metal ions, organic and inorganic solutes, and microorganisms. Nanotechnology has three main capabilities that can be applied in the fields of environment, including the cleanup (remediation) and purification, the detection of contaminants (sensing and detection), and the pollution prevention. Different nanomaterials and their application in water treatment, purification and disinfection is reviewed in this article.
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Introduction
In this day and age where enterprises have been modernized and propelled, our condition is filled with different kinds of toxins transmitted from human exercises or mechanical procedures. Instances of these toxins are carbon monoxide (CO), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), substantial metals (arsenic, chromium, lead, cadmium, mercury and zinc), hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, natural mixes (unpredictable natural mixes and dioxins), sulfur dioxide and particulates. Human exercises, for example, oil, coal and gas burning, can possibly change outflows from regular sources. Notwithstanding air contamination, there is additionally water contamination brought about by different elements, including waste removal, oil slicks, spillage of manures, herbicides and pesticides, results of modern procedures and burning and extraction of petroleum products.
Contaminants are for the most part discovered blended noticeable all around, water and soil. Along these lines, we need an innovation that can screen, recognize and, if conceivable, clean the contaminants from the air, water and soil. Right now, offers a wide scope of capacities and innovations to improve the nature of existing condition.
Nanotechnology is additionally used to forestall the arrangement of toxins or contaminants by applying the material innovation, mechanical procedures and others. Consequently, three significant utilizations of nanotechnology in the fields of condition can be classified, to be specific 1) Restoration (remediation) and purification of contaminated material, 2) Pollution detection (sensing and detection) and 3) Pollution prevention.
With rapid increment of pollutant species and concentration, the development of instruments that able to treat and prevent it is necessary.
Conclusion
Water plays a role in day today of human activity, it is becoming an increasingly scarce resource in many parts of the world. Besides utilization of non-traditional sources for production of high-quality freshwater and the conservation and protection of water bodies from pollution, equally important is the development of innovative new technologies and materials whereby challenges associated with the provision of safe potable water can be addressed. It is widely recognized that nanotechnology and its applications play an important role in resolving issues relating to water shortage and water quality. Due to large surface areas of nano particles, size and shape dependent catalytic properties, significant efforts are started to explore uses of nanomaterials in applications such as membrane separations, catalysis and adsorption. In addition, nanomaterials can be functionalized with different chemical groups to increase their attraction toward a given compound, thus resulting in ligands that are not only recyclable but also have a high capacity and selectivity for organic and inorganic solutes, just as lethal metal ions and inorganic anions in aqueous solutions.
While much consideration has been focused on the development and potential benefits of nanomaterials in water treatment processes, concerns have also been raised regarding their potential human and environmental toxicity. Undoubtedly, contemplates have demonstrated that the similar properties of nanomaterials that make them alluring (e.g., size, shape, structure, reactivity) may likewise make them be lethal. It is difficult, however, to assess the effect of nanomaterials on health and the environment because the methods and tools for such a task have not been well developed yet. In addition, common frameworks for risk research, risk assessment, and risk management are lacking at present. It is vital that these processes be developed and investigated to ensure that nanomaterials are as safe as possible, while reaching their full potential. Despite these information gaps, it is sure that new nanomaterials, particularly in water and wastewater treatment, will play key roles in guaranteeing adequate and good quality water to satisfy the ever-increasing need for consumable water.