Impact Factor (2025): 6.9
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
Nanotechnology
is the engineering and application of atoms, molecules, and particles whose
sizes are on the nanometer scale (1-100 nm). Studies have shown that
nanoparticles (NPs), most especially the nano metal oxides have improved and/or
unusual physic chemical properties when compared with the corresponding bulk
materials. Thus, these unique properties make NPs very useful in different field
like medicine, electronics, biomaterials, energy production, water and
wastewater treatment, etc. Different methods such as the gas phase synthesis
(gas condensation processing, chemical vapour condensation, microwave plasma
processing, and combustion flame synthesis), ball milling, co-precipitation,
sol gel, micro emulsion, and surfactant have been widely reported in literature
over the years for the production of NPs. There are few conventional
technologies which are affordable and can be produced locally for effective
removal of contaminants from water and wastewater. However, there are several
challenges with regards to the cost and the removal efficiency of certain
pollutants, most especially, the persistent organic pollutants and endocrine
disruptors by these conventional technologies. Environmental nanotechnology vis
nanotechnology and/or nanotechnology combined with conventional technologies
are able to treat organic and inorganic contaminants to acceptable levels.
There is currently intense scientific interest in nanotechnology for water and
wastewater treatment; nevertheless, there are concerns about the toxicity and
environmental impact of NPs. The application of nanotechnology for the removal
of toxic pollutants such as the pharmaceutical and personal care products,
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, phthalates, furans
and dioxins, agrochemicals and pesticides, volatile organic compounds, viruses
and bacteria, dyes, inorganic pollutants, etc., has been widely reported by several
investigators in the field of nanotechnology. Interestingly, results have shown
that environmental nanotechnology could be effectively utilized for the removal
of organic and inorganic contaminants from drinking water, sewage, municipal,
industrial and process wastewater.
Country : Iraq
IRJIET, Volume 7, Issue 3, March 2023 pp. 59-71