New Technologies in the Synthesis of Nano-Structures used in Wastewater Treatment- A Review

Abstract

Nanotechnology is the engineering of functional systems on a molecular scale, which refers to the projected ability to construct materials, tools, and new systems via controlling individual atoms and molecules through the characteristics of particles of matter at the nano-meter scale. One of the main environmental applications of nanotechnology is in the wastewater treatment processes. Mining activities can lead to serious problems such as acidic waste production, heavy metals pollution, cyanide spills, and the pollution by organic pollutants. There are several techniques to eliminate the above pollutants from the wastewater including precipitation, ion exchange, membrane filtration technology, electrochemical methods, and the absorption process. Currently, absorption process is one of the most effective and economic techniques for wastewater treatment. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) and Nano metal oxides are flexible and reusable nanoscale structures, which make them more advantageous over the other nanostructures. Moreover, they have more applications due to their higher surface area in comparison with other particles. This review explains the application of these nanostructures in wastewater treatment.

Keywords

• nanotechnology
• wastewater
• adsorption
• carbon nano tubes
• nano metal oxide