Flocculation performances of polymers and nanomaterials for the treatment of industrial wastewaters

Inorganic metal-based fl occulants have been traditionally used for the treatment of wastewaters; however, some limitations related to increased concentration of metals in sludge and ineff ective removal of particles in solutions, have led to investigations over the years by researchers resulting in the identifi cation of polymers and nanomaterials-based fl occulants, which have been continuously improved to address the complexity of wastewaters. Th e source of wastewater whether from the mining industry, the textile industry or domestic, infl uences the physicochemical characteristic of the wastewater and this has oft en determined the choice of a type of fl occulant as well as its performance. Th is chapter will focus on the evaluation of the performance and development of fl occulants over the years to address the diversity of pollutants in wastewater from various sources.