Nanotechnology-based water quality management for wastewater treatment

Abstract

Water contamination by pollutants has become one of the most critical health problem worldwide. In the current era, the supply of high-quality drinking water to the society with cheaper technology is a key requirement for growing the economy. The foremost challenge is to develop innovative wastewater treatment technologies with low production cost and enhanced efficiency. Concomitantly, the role of nanotechnology in pollution remediation, drinking, and wastewater treatment has proven to be promising according to numerous pilot-scale, laboratory, and in situ studies. Remarkable nanoscale features, namely excellent adsorption properties, enhanced photocatalysis, and high reactivity, have fostered dynamic innovation globally. This review focuses on the state-of-art of treatment techniques with nano-based materials, for example graphene and carbon nanotubes, metal nanoparticles such as silver, iron, zinc and magnesium, and metal oxide nanoparticles and magnetic-core composites including cobalt, nickel, and iron. Furthermore, we compare emerging and conventional technologies in terms of production cost and performance for both organic and inorganic pollutants. In addition, challenges and future aspects of engineered nanomaterials to environmental applications in wastewater treatment are also outlined.