Background: Water pollution is one of the important causes of human fatality in the world, particularly in underdeveloped or developing countries. Moreover, with rapid industrialization and urbanization, the problem of water pollution is posing a severe threat to health and livelihood. The pollutants found in water are of varied nature and depend on the source of the water. Several techniques have so far been adopted to purify contaminated water. All the techniques have one or the other disadvantages, limiting their applications on large scale, sustainability, and long-term usage. The advances in the field of nanoscience and technology have opened a new horizon for replacement/improvement of conventional ways with more efficient methods. Presently, green synthesized nanomaterials are being used for water purification.
Methods: Plant extracts and microbes are being used to synthesize nanomaterials, which are used as catalysts, adsorbents and membranes for water purification.
Results: Nanomaterial-based techniques could create problems for the environment due to various chemicals used in their production step, thus defeating the ultimate purpose. In this regard, green nanomaterials can prove to be extremely useful both in terms of sustainability and efficiency.
Conclusion: This review illustrates various ways of how green nanomaterials can be utilized for water remediation and summarizes the recent work done in this emerging research area.
Keywords: Water; adsorption; membrane; nanocomposite; nanomaterial; pollution; polymer.
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