Bridging science and sustainability: Applications of nanomaterials in wastewater remediation

Technologies for wastewater treatment have emerged through increasing global demands for clean water. While conventional methods, such as primary, secondary, and tertiary, for treating wastewater are proven, they have some drawbacks, like increased energy consumption and usage of chemicals and the formation of secondary sludge. Recently, nanotechnology has been widely explored as an effective approach toward remediation through various nanomaterials of unique properties. It elaborates on nanotechnology in water treatment, covering synthesis, characterization, and functionalization of the nanoparticles. Some of the recent research made in the nanoparticle-based systems include carbon, metal, cellulose, semiconductor, polymer and zeolite-based materials which are used in removing pollutants in wastewater, which includes organic compounds, heavy metals, and dyes. Nanoadsorbents, Nanocatalysts, Nanomembranes, nanosensors, and nanoparticle-based disinfection methods are avenues of research that have been identified for improving efficiency. Review of the literature includes discussions on maintaining, reusing, separating and regenerating nanomaterials as well as the challenges they pose. Nanomaterials therefore, must be synthesised, functionalized, and reused in an economical and energy-conserving manner to prefer nanotechnology in wastewater treatment. This review showcases recent advancements in wastewater treatment through the field of nanotechnology and its potential for addressing the growing water crisis in the world. The application of nanomaterials will therefore prove to be very advantageous in improving wastewater treatment efficiency, conserving energy, and minimising environmental impacts. Research needs to be done towards overcoming challenges in the pathway to the synthesis, functionalization, and reuse of nanomaterials for developing economical and scalable methods for wastewater treatment.