Background: In the present situation where there is water shortage globally, nanoparticles can play a vital role in treating wastewater to make it usable for several processes. Industrial wastewater contains numerous heavy metals and associated wastes which enter our food chain by one mean or other This article provides a review of applications of nanoparticles in wastewater treatment and highlights significance of photocatalyticnanoparticles in general. Methods: Online journals and books related to wastewater treatment using nanoparticles are reviewed to compile their essentials findings. General mechanisms, applications, limitations and comparison of photocatalytic nanoparticles are reviewed as well. Results: A study of photocatalytic nanoparticles shows that TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles have excellent photocatalytic capabilities as compared to other nanoparticles due to their band gap properties however, the usage of these nanoparticles is limited since there is higher recombination rate of electrons and holes in photocatalysis. Further, individual limitations also exist as TiO2 is inoperable in visible light region. So, their heterostructure with other nanoparticles have been developed to overcome their limitations. Other nanoparticles, like noble metals, and those like CuO, CeO2, SnO2 have potential in carrying out photocatalytic degradation of contaminants of wastewaters. Conclusion: A number of contaminants can be eliminated from wastewater bodies using photocatalytic nanoparticles. Efficiency of photocatalytic nanoparticles can be enhanced by coupling them with suitable species. Research in this area can prevent the water shortage of upcoming years.

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