Nanotechnology for Water Treatment

Currently, 1.1 billion people are at risk due to lack of clean water and about 35 percent of people in the developing world die from water-related problem. To alleviate these problems water purification technology requires new approaches for effective management and conservation of water resources. Nanotechnology has the potential to contribute a long-term water quality, availability and viability of water resources, through the use of advanced filtration materials that enable greater water reuse, recycling and desalinization. Recent advances strongly suggest that many of the current problems involving water quality can be addressed and potentially resolved using nanosorbents, nanocatalysts, bioactive nanoparticles, nanostructured catalytic membranes, and nanoparticle enhanced filtration. This review highlights the uses of nanotechnology in areas relevant to water treatment including purification, separation, bioremediation and disinfection. Creating better disinfection and purification technologies could significantly reduce water borne diseases and further ensure continued economic prosperity of developed nations and create new economic opportunities for the developing world. © 2011 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.