Nanomaterials for environmental burden reduction, waste treatment, and nonpoint source pollution control: a review

Abstract

Nanomaterials are applicable in the areas of reduction of environmental burden, reduction/treatment of industrial and agricultural wastes, and nonpoint source (NPS) pollution control. First, environmental burden reduction involves green process and engineering, emissions control, desulfurization/denitrification of nonrenewable energy sources, and improvement of agriculture and food systems. Second, reduction/treatment of industrial and agricultural wastes involves converting wastes into products, groundwater remediation, adsorption, delaying photocatalysis, and nanomembranes. Third, NPS pollution control involves controlling water pollution. Nanomaterials alter physical properties on a nanoscale due to their high specific surface area to volume ratio. They are used as catalysts, adsorbents, membranes, and additives to increase activity and capability due to their high specific surface areas and nano-sized effects. Thus, nanomaterials are more effective at treating environmental wastes because they reduce the amount of material needed.

Arsenic removal by nanoparticles: a review

“…However, for studying the applicability of the sorbents at a commercial scale, many studies on arsenic adsorption on leaching are required. The aim of the sorbent process is to avoid possible formation of not easy to capture submicrometer-sized particles and binding metal to sorbent to prevent metal leaching into the environment (Shan et al 2009). Sharma and Sohn (2009) emphasize that phosphate, carbonate, and bicarbonate ions are efficient in inhibiting As adsorption and can increase As leaching from mineral surfaces.…”

Engineering noble metal nanomaterials for environmental applications

“…Recent environmental burdens caused by industrial and agricultural wastes have attracted growing concern in the community. 71 Among these hazardous pollutants (e.g., heavy metal ions, pesticides, dyes, toxic chemicals, pathogens, nanomaterials, and contaminants), 72,73 heavy metal ions have attracted the most attention due to their serious threat to human health and the environment. 74 For an accurate quantification of these heavy metal ions, various optical sensors constructed from NMNs, 22,69,75,76 organic dyes, 77,78 and fluorescent polymers, 79 have been demonstrated.…”

Assessing the ecotoxicity of metal nano-oxides with potential for wastewater treatment

“…The increased interest in NMs is due to their unique properties such as high surface-to-volume ratio and highly reactive surface, which make them excellent adsorbents, catalysts, and oxidation agents, which can be applied to degrade and scavenge pollutants (Hartmann et al 2010;Petosa et al 2010). Nanoscale zeolites, zero-valent iron, metal oxides, carbon nanotubes and fibers, and various noble metals are among NMs that have been explored for remediation (Shan et al 2009;Karn et al 2009). …”