Role of Nanocomposites in Environmental Remediation: Recent Advances and Challenges

Abstract

Nanocomposites offer an exclusive advantage over bulk materials in terms of efficiency on account of their greater surface area, higher reactivity, ease of modification, good dispersion, and hence, multi-faceted applications. The various forms of nanocomposites derived from low-cost resources, especially carbon-based materials, are of unique interest. Activated carbons offer the unique advantage as the matrix for nanocomposites synthesis due to their graphite structure, thereby providing strength and the ease of modification on the surface of nanocomposites while introducing desired functional groups. Apart from this, they are widely popular for their large surface area and porosity. Therefore, carbon-based nanocomposites offer vivid applications in various fields, such as environmental remediation as adsorbents, suitable sorbents in the analytical determination of organics, targeted drug delivery, diagnostic agents, fuel cells and sensors, to name a few. Amongst these, the role of nanocomposites as sensors and environmental remediation tools has been studied extensively. The varied modes of action include adsorption, nano-catalysis, membrane filtration, etc ., for pollutants ranging from inorganic ions, heavy metals, pesticides, dyes, anti-bacterials, oil spills, and many more. However, there are constraints in their stability, cost, storage and disposal triggered by varying environmental conditions.This chapter presents a review of the synthesis, application and challenges of nanostructured composite materials in environmental remediation.