Iron Oxide Nanomaterials for Water Purification

Abstract The spread of a wide range of contaminants in surface water and groundwater has become a critical issue worldwide due to population growth, industrialization, and long-term droughts. It is necessary to control the harmful effects of these contaminants and improve the human living environment. There is a need for the development of various technologies and adsorbents to remove toxic pollutants from water. Among the various nanoadsorbents, nanoscale magnetite particles (approximately one billion times smaller [by volume] than microscale particles) are being extensively researched for the treatment of water and wastewater. The present chapter deals with the utilization of iron oxide nanomaterials for water purification in light of their unique properties (such as extremely small size, high surface-area-to-volume ratio, surface modifiability and excellent magnetic properties). Nanomaterials such as iron oxide nanoparticles are efficient adsorbents because they combine magnetic separation with ionic exchange capacity for heavy metal removal. A number of environmental cleanup technologies have been proposed in wastewater treatment with the use of iron oxide nanomaterials as nanosorbents and photocatalysts. In addition, iron-oxide-based immobilization technology for enhancing removal efficiency of hazardous materials tends to be an innovative research point. This chapter outlines the recent developments in the application of iron oxide nanomaterials for water treatment. A detailed review is addressed to the utilization of iron oxide nanomaterials as nanoadsorbents as well as their utility as photocatalysts. The practical potential and likely environmental fate when iron oxide nanomaterials are discharged is also discussed.