By Nanditha Krishna (AM.HS.I5ENG19046)
Nanotechnology for water purification
In an article titled “The new water technologies that could save the planet” featured in The Guardian, one of the cutting-edge emerging technologies listed to help overcome the scarcity of clean and fresh water is the nanotechnology powered water purification system.
This technology helps curb the scarcity of water by removing microbes, bacteria and other matter from water using composite nanoparticles, that emit silver ions that destroy contaminants.
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An IIT Madras team developed a prototype in Nanotechnology in filtration. Professor Thalappil Pradeep, IIT Madras says “For just $2.50 a year you can deliver microbially safe water for a family” (courtesy : The Guardian) ,which is a hint that low-cost water purification may finally be commercially feasible.
Source : https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/new-water-technologies-save-planet
Similar such varieties of nanotechnology methods have been employed to eliminate toxic contaminants from drinking water supplies.
Nanotechnology-derived water filtration processes are very efficient as compared to conventional techniques, because of the enhancement of adsorption properties. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions, can be processed at the nano-level in water treatment solutions to demonstrate high performance.
The field is blooming and blossoming. There is a lot of potential in the cutting edge field of technology for water research and innovation for curbing water pollution, scarcity and also for water research and treatment.
In nanotechnology-enabled water purification methods, nanoscopic materials (for example – carbon nanotubes, alumina fibers) are utilized for nanofiltration.
Nanofilters require less pressure in order to pass water across the filter and this way, they are more effective.
Carbon nanotube membranes are very effective in eliminating toxic water contaminants. Nanofibrous alumina filters and other nanofiber materials also enhance this process by eliminating negatively charged contaminants at an efficient and effective rate.
Nanomaterials are used because they usually are small sized, have a well organized structure and high surface to volume ratio, and filtration ability, which help in removal of toxic contaminants, and heavy metals from waste water that is contaminated.
Nanocatalysts, Nanoadsorbents (that use organic or inorganic nanomaterials adsorb substances and are arranged as metallic nanoparticles, nanostructured mixed oxides, magnetic nanoparticles etc) and Nanomembranes that include nanotubes, nanoribbons, and nanofibers and also silver nanoparticles that are used are antimicrobial agents are used and employed in this technology.
Nanocellulose based renewable material too have high surface area with high material strength and are used as nanomaterials. Different kinds of nanocellulose materials available for water purification system includes Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF).
An articled titled “The Application of Nanotechnology in Industrial Water Treatment” by Dr. Priyom Bose
(Source: https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5503) lists commonly used nanomaterials for industrial water treatment such as : Carbon nanotubes (CNT) that produce electrically conducting membranes, Graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles that is used in solar-powered brine desalination, Fluorinated silica nanoparticles that is used during treatment of oil-containing wastewater, Layered nanomaterials that are used in industrial water treatment.
Sources referred :
- https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5503
- https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=4918
- Inderscience Publishers. “Nanotechnology for water purification.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 28 July 2010. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100728111711.htm
- Nanotechnology Research articles and internet sources
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