Nanomaterials as an Environmental Sustainability Choice for Wastewater Treatment: A Review

Water is the fundamental element required for life on Earth and a critical resource for human civilization. Meeting worldwide demand for clean, inexpensive water remains a serious concern, as billions of people continue to lack access to safe drinking water. Annually, millions of people die as a result of contaminated water that contains bacteria, viruses, arsenic, and lead. With limited water supplies, wastewater purification has become increasingly crucial. Companies worldwide are adopting innovative technologies to treat wastewater before releasing it back into the environment, moving away from conventional methods. Among these innovations, nanomaterials are the subject of much investigation due to their unique characteristics. Many studies on wastewater treatment have been conducted; however, few have explicitly examined the kinds of nanomaterials employed. This review evaluates recent developments in a range of nanomaterials used in wastewater treatment. Recent advancements in nanotechnology are emphasized, with particular attention paid to the physicochemical characteristics of free nanomaterials, such as metal oxides, carbon-based nanomaterials, and nanoparticles of precious metals. Researchers studying nanotechnology will have interesting prospects in the future as they investigate the methods and efficacy of these materials in eliminating various pollutants.