Abstract
The issue of water contamination has emerged as one of the primary
problems of the current century. The discharge of hazardous contaminants, rapid
industrialization, and unrestricted population rise lead to the degradation of water
purity. This chapter explores the nanomaterials in water purification and aims to
address the critical need for efficient and sustainable water treatment solutions. With
the increasing global demand for clean water, traditional treatment methods are often
limited in their ability to remove emerging contaminants and often do not meet
stringent quality standards. Nanomaterials have emerged as potential candidates for
improving water treatment procedures because of their special features, including high
efficacy, better selectivity, good stability, high surface area, eco-friendliness, and high
population growth. Adsorption, photocatalysis, membrane filtration processes, and
other techniques enable the effective removal of harmful contaminants from industrial
waste, groundwater, and surface water by nanomaterials. The chapter’s aim is to gain
comprehension of the application of nanomaterials that contain metals and metal
oxides-based nanoparticles, carbon-based, composites, and dendrimers-based
nanoparticles. Their use as adsorbents, photocatalysts, and membrane filters for
effective and targeted removal of toxic waste has received a lot of focus at the same
time. Adsorption, photocatalysis, and membrane filtration methods are discussed in
detail for their usage in water purification. To illustrate the potential risks involved
with nanomaterials, practical applications such as waste management and
environmental effects are also taken into account. Additionally, it critically evaluates
the difficulties and opportunities associated with using nanomaterials in industrial
wastewater purification.