Polymer functionalized nanocomposites for metals removal from water and wastewater: An overview. (1st April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lofrano, Giusy; Carotenuto, Maurizio; Libralato, Giovanni; Domingos, Rute F.; Markus, Arjen; Dini, Luciana; Gautam, Ravindra Kumar; Baldantoni, Daniela; Rossi, Marco; Sharma, Sanjay K.; Chattopadhyaya, Mahesh Chandra; Giugni, Maurizio; Meric, Sureyya
• Is Part Of: Water research. Volume 92(2016)
• Page Start: 22
• Page End: 37
• Publication Date: 2016-04-01
• Subjects: Polymer functionalized nano-composites -- Metalloid -- Metal -- Nanoparticles -- Removal efficiency -- Toxicity; Water -- Pollution -- Research -- Periodicals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.01.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1354

Abstract

Abstract: Pollution by metal and metalloid ions is one of the most widespread environmental concerns. They are non-biodegradable, and, generally, present high water solubility facilitating their environmental mobilisation interacting with abiotic and biotic components such as adsorption onto natural colloids or even accumulation by living organisms, thus, threatening human health and ecosystems. Therefore, there is a high demand for effective removal treatments of heavy metals, making the application of adsorption materials such as polymer-functionalized nanocomposites (PFNCs), increasingly attractive. PFNCs retain the inherent remarkable surface properties of nanoparticles, while the polymeric support materials provide high stability and processability. These nanoparticle-matrix materials are of great interest for metals and metalloids removal thanks to the functional groups of the polymeric matrixes that provide specific bindings to target pollutants. This review discusses PFNCs synthesis, characterization and performance in adsorption processes as well as the potential environmental risks and perspectives. Graphical abstract: Highlights: PFNCs incorporate NPs surface features and the polymers binding capacity. The interest in PFNCs is increasing, but many gaps into the knowledge exist. Interesting removal rates for metals/metalloids, but no data on toxicity effects.