Nanomaterials—State of Art, New Challenges, and Opportunities

Nanomaterials have a number of key physicochemical properties that make them particularly. Attractive as separation media for water purification. On a mass basis, they have much larger surface areas than bulk particles. Nanomaterials can also be functionalized with various chemical groups to increase their affinity toward a given, particular pollutant in water. Due to their effective surface area and diverse functionalities, nanomaterials are promising candidates for effective water purification. In this context, this chapter gives an overview of the use of nanomaterials in water purification. We discuss the current developments in novel nanoscale materials and techniques for the purification of wastewater contaminated by toxic metal ions, organic and inorganic solutes, bacteria, and viruses.