Beta-FeOOH nanoparticles: a promising nano-based material for water treatment and remediation

The use of nanomaterials in water treatment operations has taken a prominent position in recent years due to the perceived outstanding efficiencies and outputs. The selection of appropriate nanoparticles from the plethora available for application in large-scale projects is still a daunting challenge. Beta-FeOOH (β-FeOOH) has been identified as a non-toxic, low cost and easy to synthesize nanomaterial. Furthermore, it possesses adsorptive, catalytic, ion-exchange properties, and also monitoring functionalities. This review highlights the potential of β-FeOOH as a promising nano-based option for water treatment operations. The natural occurrences and reported synthesis methods and procedures are discussed, as well as the characteristics and properties which make it a choice candidate to consider for large-scale water treatment processes. Advances on the application of β-FeOOH and its composites in water treatment and remediation processes are highlighted and profiled to emphasize its potential. The future outlook on the β-FeOOH synthesis and application procedure was also discussed.