Chapter 15 - Microbes-Based Nanomaterials for the Wastewater Treatment and Decontamination of Water

Abstract

Over the past few decades traditional methodologies for nanomaterials fabrication have been extensively explored. But these traditional methodologies have drawbacks such as high energy consumption and use of toxic agents. As we all know microorganisms are capable of binding and concentrating dissolved metals and detoxifying their environment. Bioinspired fabrication of nanomaterials is environment-friendly, requires low energy consumption, and is affordable. For wastewater treatment and decontamination of pollutants and germs, nanotechnology offers huge possibilities. Four types of nanoscale materials such as metals containing nanoparticles (NPs), dendrimers, carbonaceous nanomaterials, and zeolites are estimated as efficient materials for wastewater treatment. Recently due to achievement of high catalytic reactivity microorganisms-based biogenic NPs have drawn huge research interest. Microbes-based nanomaterials exhibit high-quality catalytic performance because of its greater number of active sites and higher surface area as compared to polycrystalline materials. Hence microorganisms used in nanomaterials can provide a novel approach for wastewater treatment and decontamination. This chapter focuses on the synthesis and catalytic applications of microbes-based nanomaterials for the wastewater treatment and decontamination.