Chapter 11 - Applications and limitations of graphene oxide for remediating contaminants of emerging concern in wastewater

Abstract

Drinking water resources are becoming polluted with a variety of contaminants that include contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). New cost-effective and environment-friendly technologies for water purification are necessary because conventional water purification technologies such as sedimentation, filtration, and chemical or biological degradation cannot effectively remove some CECs such as antibiotics, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and hormones. Graphene oxide (GO) nanomaterials with their specific physical and chemical properties are excellent candidates for removing CECs efficiently. This chapter covers water pollution by CECs and their effects, limitations of current technologies in removing CECs, applications of pure and modified GO nanomaterials to remove various contaminants that include antibiotic-resistant bacteria, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (pesticides, pharmaceutical, antibiotics, and polyfluoroalkyl substances), disinfectant by-products, dioxin, UV-filtering chemicals, algal toxin, and microplastics from wastewater. Finally, limitations of GO nanomaterials for water purification are also discussed.