2.4.3 Nanoremediation
Among other applications, nanoremediation is attaining superior attention because
of the pollutants decontamination properties (Bartke et al. 2018; Corsi et al. 2018).
Nanoremediation is the employment of the NPs in the remediation of the environment by degrading or immobilization of the pollutants (Kadu et al. 2017; Wang and
Wang 2018). The commercial industries of nanoremediation have increased over the
past few years. Under a set of favorable conditions, nanoremediation is employed
using different types of nano-sized particles. To decontaminate the soil or groundwater, NPs are either directly injected in it or pump and treat method is used.
Remediation takes place by adsorption of the xenobiotics for the treatment of
water. In some cases, after the treatment of nanoremediation, NPs can be recovered
and can be utilized in the subsequent treatment. The main scenario of decontamination or environmental remediation is the removal of the harmful substances,
elements and molecules from the in situ conditions without harming or disturbing
the environment.
2.4.4 Carbon Nanotube-Microbial Fuel Cell
In this type of fuel cell, microorganisms are utilized to consume organic waste such
as starch, sugar, etc. to generate electricity and clean water. This is an innovative
technology to produce electricity by treating industrial effluents and also domestic
wastewater. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a high surface area, chemical stability,
and good mechanical properties making them suitable for designing electrodes and
sensors as they are ideal for the growth of cells. CNTs support the growth, proliferation, and immobilization of bacteria. Multiwalled CNT provides a self-supporting
structure for the growth and proliferation of hydrogen-producing bacteria (E. coli)
(Thepsuparungsikul et al. 2012). Single-walled CNTs and MWCNTs are affirmed to
be compatible with the growth of various eukaryotic cells.
2.4.5 Nanocatalyst
Various NPs have extraordinary surface activity making them ideal nanocatalyst.
Aluminum in nanosize has high reaction rate and is employed as solid fuel in rocket
propulsion, however in bulk form, aluminum is generally utilized in utensils
(Brousseau and Anderson 2002; Galfetti et al. 2006). Nanocatalysis is a growing
field that comprises the utilization of nanosubstances as a catalyst in various
catalytical applications that benefits the chemical industries. Nanocatalysts have
various applications such as in water purification, biodiesel production, carbon
nanotubes, in solid rocket propellants, photocatalytic activity, photodegradation of
methylene blue, photocatalytic degradation of phenol, photocatalytic degradation of
azo dyes, photocatalysis, photovoltaic, wastewater treatment, etc. (Chaturvedi et al.
2012).
2 Nanomaterials; Applications; Implications and Management
31
Among other applications, nanoremediation is attaining superior attention because
of the pollutants decontamination properties (Bartke et al. 2018; Corsi et al. 2018).
Nanoremediation is the employment of the NPs in the remediation of the environment by degrading or immobilization of the pollutants (Kadu et al. 2017; Wang and
Wang 2018). The commercial industries of nanoremediation have increased over the
past few years. Under a set of favorable conditions, nanoremediation is employed
using different types of nano-sized particles. To decontaminate the soil or groundwater, NPs are either directly injected in it or pump and treat method is used.
Remediation takes place by adsorption of the xenobiotics for the treatment of
water. In some cases, after the treatment of nanoremediation, NPs can be recovered
and can be utilized in the subsequent treatment. The main scenario of decontamination or environmental remediation is the removal of the harmful substances,
elements and molecules from the in situ conditions without harming or disturbing
the environment.
2.4.4 Carbon Nanotube-Microbial Fuel Cell
In this type of fuel cell, microorganisms are utilized to consume organic waste such
as starch, sugar, etc. to generate electricity and clean water. This is an innovative
technology to produce electricity by treating industrial effluents and also domestic
wastewater. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a high surface area, chemical stability,
and good mechanical properties making them suitable for designing electrodes and
sensors as they are ideal for the growth of cells. CNTs support the growth, proliferation, and immobilization of bacteria. Multiwalled CNT provides a self-supporting
structure for the growth and proliferation of hydrogen-producing bacteria (E. coli)
(Thepsuparungsikul et al. 2012). Single-walled CNTs and MWCNTs are affirmed to
be compatible with the growth of various eukaryotic cells.
2.4.5 Nanocatalyst
Various NPs have extraordinary surface activity making them ideal nanocatalyst.
Aluminum in nanosize has high reaction rate and is employed as solid fuel in rocket
propulsion, however in bulk form, aluminum is generally utilized in utensils
(Brousseau and Anderson 2002; Galfetti et al. 2006). Nanocatalysis is a growing
field that comprises the utilization of nanosubstances as a catalyst in various
catalytical applications that benefits the chemical industries. Nanocatalysts have
various applications such as in water purification, biodiesel production, carbon
nanotubes, in solid rocket propellants, photocatalytic activity, photodegradation of
methylene blue, photocatalytic degradation of phenol, photocatalytic degradation of
azo dyes, photocatalysis, photovoltaic, wastewater treatment, etc. (Chaturvedi et al.
2012).
2 Nanomaterials; Applications; Implications and Management
31