254
T. Sahoo et al.
11.1.3 Catalysis
Photocatalytic or catalytic oxidation refers to the method in which microbial
pathogens and trace contaminants are removed from the water in the advanced manner. Reddy et al. (2016) reported that this method is significant for pre-treatment as
it enhances the rate of biodegradation of non-biodegradable and hazardous contaminants (Reddy et al. 2016). The high ratio of surface to volume of the nanocatalysts
noticeably display upgraded the performance of catalysis in comparison with the corresponding bulkier counterparts. In addition, the crystal structure and the bandgap of
the nano-semiconductors displayed size dependency. Moreover by immobilizing the
nanomaterial over different supporting groups, there was an enhancement in the stability of the nanocatalyst and the resulting nanocomposite was found to be consistent
with the photoreactors, according to Petronella et al. (2017).
11.1.4 Disinfection
In order to minimize the growth of diseases caused due to water contamination,
the process of disinfection is vital step. There are certain criteria for an idealized
disinfectant like it should be able to deal with wide range of microbes within a
short span of time, absence or minimum production of fatal by-products, minimum
toxic impact on human health and environment, economical and easy to handle, oncorrosive and can be disposed safely. Higzay et al. (2010) reported many nanomaterials exhibiting antimicrobial characteristics like chitosan nanoparticles; Rai et al.
2009 reported, Hebeish et al. (2013) reported photocatalytic TiO 2 ; Martynková and
Valášková (2014) reported carbon nanomaterials. The above-mentioned nanoparticles were capable of killing or destroying microbes by the toxic metal ions released
from them and can also destroy cell membrane by coming in contact, etc. In contrast
to traditional disinfectants, the nanomaterial-based disinfectants achieved the task
with more sustainably which led to the release of lesser by-products as reported by
Li et al. (2008).
11.2 Sensing
Traditional methods of monitoring and sensing face obstacles in the case of less
concentration of pollutant at microlevel in complex cases of water pollution. Urgent
and instant detection of desired harmful and toxic pathogenic substances especially
during water-based accidents are the demand of the time. Some nanomaterials such
as noble metals like silver or gold, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes have extraordinary magnetic, optical and electrochemical characteristics; hence, when they are
T. Sahoo et al.
11.1.3 Catalysis
Photocatalytic or catalytic oxidation refers to the method in which microbial
pathogens and trace contaminants are removed from the water in the advanced manner. Reddy et al. (2016) reported that this method is significant for pre-treatment as
it enhances the rate of biodegradation of non-biodegradable and hazardous contaminants (Reddy et al. 2016). The high ratio of surface to volume of the nanocatalysts
noticeably display upgraded the performance of catalysis in comparison with the corresponding bulkier counterparts. In addition, the crystal structure and the bandgap of
the nano-semiconductors displayed size dependency. Moreover by immobilizing the
nanomaterial over different supporting groups, there was an enhancement in the stability of the nanocatalyst and the resulting nanocomposite was found to be consistent
with the photoreactors, according to Petronella et al. (2017).
11.1.4 Disinfection
In order to minimize the growth of diseases caused due to water contamination,
the process of disinfection is vital step. There are certain criteria for an idealized
disinfectant like it should be able to deal with wide range of microbes within a
short span of time, absence or minimum production of fatal by-products, minimum
toxic impact on human health and environment, economical and easy to handle, oncorrosive and can be disposed safely. Higzay et al. (2010) reported many nanomaterials exhibiting antimicrobial characteristics like chitosan nanoparticles; Rai et al.
2009 reported, Hebeish et al. (2013) reported photocatalytic TiO 2 ; Martynková and
Valášková (2014) reported carbon nanomaterials. The above-mentioned nanoparticles were capable of killing or destroying microbes by the toxic metal ions released
from them and can also destroy cell membrane by coming in contact, etc. In contrast
to traditional disinfectants, the nanomaterial-based disinfectants achieved the task
with more sustainably which led to the release of lesser by-products as reported by
Li et al. (2008).
11.2 Sensing
Traditional methods of monitoring and sensing face obstacles in the case of less
concentration of pollutant at microlevel in complex cases of water pollution. Urgent
and instant detection of desired harmful and toxic pathogenic substances especially
during water-based accidents are the demand of the time. Some nanomaterials such
as noble metals like silver or gold, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes have extraordinary magnetic, optical and electrochemical characteristics; hence, when they are