APPLICATION OF NANOMATERIALS FOR THE REMOVAL OF TOXIC ELEMENTS FROM WATER

Abstract

The water crisis which has been intensified by rapid industrialization and population explosion of the globe, has rendered conventional water treatment technologies such as coagulation and chemical precipitation inefficient, owing to the high cost of operation and the inability to remove trace amounts of non- biodegradable heavy metals. This article aims to review the tremendous potential of nanotechnology, which has been recognized as efficient, eco-friendly and cost effective water purification technology compared to conventional methods. This technology utilizes the physicochemical properties of nanomaterials such as their high surface area to volume ratio, high durability and surface properties, to enable efficient water purification mechanism such as physical and chemical Adsorption, surface complexion, ion exchange and electrostatic interactions. This article aims to discuss the potential of nanomaterials, ranging from metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon nanostructures like 0D, 1D, 3D and hybrid nanocomposites, which are capable of achieving water high purification efficiency rates of water contaminants such as chromium and lead etc. Additionally, critically operational factors such as pH, contact time and nanomaterials dosage are also reviewed along with environmental factors such as cytotoxicity, bioaccumulation and oxidative stress. Despite the challenges facing scalability and ecotoxicity, nanotechnology has emerged as cornerstone for achieving future water security by moving from filtration to molecular engineering.