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developed as developing countries. Hence, it is needed to adopt such water treatment technology which is equally economical and highly efficient. Nanotechnology
is one such technique which has attracted researchers in the last decades due to better
performance in water treatment in comparison with existing conventional methods
(Qu et al. 2013). The materials having dimension lesser than hundred nanometre are
defined as nanomaterials as reported by Tesh and Scott (2014). This range of materials has extraordinary chemical and physical characteristics in comparison with their
bulkier structure. The property of large surface area of nanomaterials generally has
allowed larger density of active centres per unit mass. Additionally, nanomaterial displays higher surface free energy which results in upgradation in the reactivity of the
surface. Till now, from the literature survey it is evident that nanomaterial is capable
enough to treat wastewater particularly in the field of sensing, disinfection, catalytic
oxidation, adsorption, etc., as reported by Das et al. (2015), Ayati et al. (2014) and
Ali 2012). In Tesh and Scott (2014), Karn et al. (2011) reported that zero-valent iron
nanoparticles by injection are one of the most frequently applied nanotechnologies
for groundwater treatment in America. Initially, nanoparticles tend to accumulate on
the water system causing reduction in the pressure and severe activity as reported by
Lofrano et al. (2016). Further, the most difficult tasks remain the separation of the
degraded or exhausted nanoparticles from the treated water for further use. Moreover,
the nature and behaviour of nanomaterials during the treatment of wastewater are
yet to be understood clearly. The consequences of the remaining nanomaterials after
the treatment of wastewater are the topic of concern for the environment and human
health which can act as an obstacle in the application of this technique as reported
by Dale et al. (2015). In order to fill up this loophole to bring out the desirable
impact of this technique, it is necessary to find a better material which can reduce
the release of nanomaterial in treated water while retaining its reactivity. In these
contexts, nanocomposites have been identified as potential candidate for the desired
approach. It is designed by using different support materials like membranes or polymers on which desired nanomaterials are loaded. The nanocomposites can be defined
as material having multiphase where the dimension of the constituent is one hundred
nanometre as reported by Tesh and Scott (2014). This chapter throws light on the
advanced applications of nanotechnology in wastewater treatment. The various types
of nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes, graphene-based, metal and metal oxidebased, zeolites, nanocomposites, metal–organic frameworks are discussed focussing
on their structures and performances in the removal of water contaminants. Moreover, few bioremediation techniques for purification of water are also discussed. The
toxicity of the nanomaterial after treatment of wastewater on the environment also
needs to be tackled carefully to ensure the safety of the environment which is also
mentioned in this chapter.
T. Sahoo et al.
developed as developing countries. Hence, it is needed to adopt such water treatment technology which is equally economical and highly efficient. Nanotechnology
is one such technique which has attracted researchers in the last decades due to better
performance in water treatment in comparison with existing conventional methods
(Qu et al. 2013). The materials having dimension lesser than hundred nanometre are
defined as nanomaterials as reported by Tesh and Scott (2014). This range of materials has extraordinary chemical and physical characteristics in comparison with their
bulkier structure. The property of large surface area of nanomaterials generally has
allowed larger density of active centres per unit mass. Additionally, nanomaterial displays higher surface free energy which results in upgradation in the reactivity of the
surface. Till now, from the literature survey it is evident that nanomaterial is capable
enough to treat wastewater particularly in the field of sensing, disinfection, catalytic
oxidation, adsorption, etc., as reported by Das et al. (2015), Ayati et al. (2014) and
Ali 2012). In Tesh and Scott (2014), Karn et al. (2011) reported that zero-valent iron
nanoparticles by injection are one of the most frequently applied nanotechnologies
for groundwater treatment in America. Initially, nanoparticles tend to accumulate on
the water system causing reduction in the pressure and severe activity as reported by
Lofrano et al. (2016). Further, the most difficult tasks remain the separation of the
degraded or exhausted nanoparticles from the treated water for further use. Moreover,
the nature and behaviour of nanomaterials during the treatment of wastewater are
yet to be understood clearly. The consequences of the remaining nanomaterials after
the treatment of wastewater are the topic of concern for the environment and human
health which can act as an obstacle in the application of this technique as reported
by Dale et al. (2015). In order to fill up this loophole to bring out the desirable
impact of this technique, it is necessary to find a better material which can reduce
the release of nanomaterial in treated water while retaining its reactivity. In these
contexts, nanocomposites have been identified as potential candidate for the desired
approach. It is designed by using different support materials like membranes or polymers on which desired nanomaterials are loaded. The nanocomposites can be defined
as material having multiphase where the dimension of the constituent is one hundred
nanometre as reported by Tesh and Scott (2014). This chapter throws light on the
advanced applications of nanotechnology in wastewater treatment. The various types
of nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes, graphene-based, metal and metal oxidebased, zeolites, nanocomposites, metal–organic frameworks are discussed focussing
on their structures and performances in the removal of water contaminants. Moreover, few bioremediation techniques for purification of water are also discussed. The
toxicity of the nanomaterial after treatment of wastewater on the environment also
needs to be tackled carefully to ensure the safety of the environment which is also
mentioned in this chapter.