Nanotechnology for Environmental Control and Remediation

Abstract

The chapter emphasizes nanotechnology, which is an emerging field that covers a wide range of technologies that are presently under development in nanoscale. Nanotechnology offers the potential of novel nanomaterials for treatment of surface water, ground water, and waste water contaminated by toxic metal ions, organic and inorganic solutes, and microorganisms. The advantages of the use of nanomaterials, which are related to their properties that are completely different from the bulk materials, make them extremely attractive and give them enormous potential. Among the areas that are influenced by nanotechnology, environmental remediation is highlighted in this chapter. This chapter emphasizes several nanomaterials (Zero valent iron, titanium dioxide, nanoclays, nanotubes, dendrimers, ferritin, metalloporphyrinogens, and SAAMS) and their application in water treatment, purification, and disinfection. The use of nanoparticles in environmental remediation, which inevitably leads to the release of nanoparticles into the environment and subsequent ecosystems, is also explained.