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A review on nanomaterials for environmental remediation

Publication Type : Journal Article

Thematic Areas : Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine

Publisher : Energy and Environmental Science

Source : Energy and Environmental Science, Volume 5, Number 8, p.8075-8109 (2012)

Url : http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84864248640&partnerID=40&md5=26103cf16d3d4269438c965ba0640a50

Keywords : adsorption, Application of polymers, Arsenic, Bacteria, Bacteria (microorganisms), Biological contaminants, Biological substance, catalysis, catalyst, Chemical detection, Contamination, Conventional techniques, Environmental remediation, future prospect, Future prospects, Heavy metals, High reactivity, High surface area, industrial waste, Inorganic solutes, literature review, Manganese, Metal ions, Nano-scale materials, Nanocomposites, Nanotechnology, Pollution, pollution monitoring, polymer, Polymers, remediation, Research trends, Sulfur dioxide, Surface-to-volume ratio, Toxic materials, Toxic metal ions, toxic substance, trend analysis, Viruses, wastewater, water treatment

Campus : Kochi

School : Center for Nanosciences

Center : Nanosciences

Department : Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine

Year : 2012

Abstract : This article gives an overview of the application of nanomaterials in environmental remediation. In the area of environmental remediation, nanomaterials offer the potential for the efficient removal of pollutants and biological contaminants. Nanomaterials in various shapes/morphologies, such as nanoparticles, tubes, wires, fibres etc., function as adsorbents and catalysts and their composites with polymers are used for the detection and removal of gases (SO2, CO, NOx, etc.), contaminated chemicals (arsenic, iron, manganese, nitrate, heavy metals, etc.), organic pollutants (aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons) and biological substances, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and antibiotics. Nanomaterials show a better performance in environmental remediation than other conventional techniques because of their high surface area (surface-to-volume ratio) and their associated high reactivity. Recent advances in the fabrication of novel nanoscale materials and processes for the treatment of drinking water and industrial waste water contaminated by toxic metal ions, radionuclides, organic and inorganic solutes, bacteria and viruses and the treatment of air are highlighted. In addition, recent advances in the application of polymer nanocomposite materials for the treatment of contaminants and the monitoring of pollutants are also discussed. Furthermore, the research trends and future prospects are briefly discussed. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012.

Cite this Research Publication : M. M. Khin, A. S. Nair, Babu, V. J., Murugan, R., and Ramakrishna, S., “A review on nanomaterials for environmental remediation”, Energy and Environmental Science, vol. 5, pp. 8075-8109, 2012.

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