Nanotechnology in Environmental Clean-up
Amit Bansal
Abstract
Many technologies like adsorption, absorption, light-mediated catalysis, and various chemical reactions have been implied in the process of remediation of environmental pollutants. Still, environmental pollutants undoubtedly remain the major problem. The nanotechnologies have been explored for its use as capture and degradation of the pollutants. Nanotechnology or nanotech is simply defined as the use of particles or matters at nanoscale ranging from 1 to 100 nanometer. The reactivity of the nanotechnologies depends upon the surface area-to-volume of the nanoparticles utilized for the purpose. The most important factors for effective environmental remediation using nanoparticles are the detailed analysis of the in-situ location, kind of pollutants to be treated, and the decision of specific nanoparticles to be used is very critically important. The following chapter deals with the different kinds of nanotechnologies (Polymeric-based, semiconductor-based, pottery-based, metal-based, carbon-based nanoparticles) utilized for different environmental pollutions. The use of such nanoparticles on the remediation of environmental pollutants such as heavy metals, organic or inorganic matters, chemical herbicides, volatile compounds, aromatic compounds, etc. ubiquitously present in the environment (air, water, and soil). The implications of these nanoparticles are utilized in the environment on living organisms (plants, animals, and humans).