Organic–Inorganic Nanohybrids for the Removal of Environmental Pollutants

Abstract

AbstractOver the past century, rapid economic development and population explosion across the globe have caused environmental concerns such as severe pollution and climate change. In the last decade, recent advancements in nanotechnology and specifically related to organic inorganic nanohybrids have created tremendous opportunities to provide technological solutions in the fields of environmental pollution control and remediation. Several investigations were conducted recently to develop versatile, highly efficient, low-cost, and environmental friendly organic–inorganic nanohybrids. The main specialty of an organic–inorganic nanohybrid is its development with desired composition, physical, and chemical properties in accordance with its utilization in various applications. In this chapter initially, organic–inorganic nanohybrids have been briefly introduced. Then, sources and detrimental health effects of various environmental pollutants are discussed. After that, the chapter focused on the latest progressions in the development methods, surface morphologies, multicomponent composition, surface properties (i.e., surface, functional groups), and synergistic physicochemical properties (i.e., adsorptive, catalytic) of organic–inorganic nanohybrids. Additionally, their respective applications in treating various environmental pollutants such as industrial dyes (i.e., Rhodamine B, methylene blue), harmful volatile organic compounds (i.e., benzene, toluene), and gases (i.e., CO2) with the emphasis on their roles in adsorptive and photocatalytic removal of the pollutants are analyzed and compared. Despite all the progress to date, futuristic approaches, challenges, and specific directions for further research relevant to organic–inorganic nanohybrids are also highlighted.KeywordsDyesAdsorptionDegradationNanohybridVolatile organic compound