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Informative Article | Physics | Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026 | Pages: 1713 - 1716 | India
Nanomaterials for Water Purification and Environmental Pollution Control: Applications, Challenges and Future Prospects
Abstract: Water pollution is one of the major environmental challenges of the modern era, resulting from industrialisation, agricultural activities, urbanisation, mining, and the discharge of untreated wastewater. Conventional water-treatment methods are often effective for common pollutants but may have limitations in removing persistent organic compounds, heavy metals, microorganisms, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and other emerging contaminants. Nanomaterials have attracted considerable attention as advanced materials for water purification and environmental pollution control because of their high surface area, tunable surface chemistry, catalytic activity, adsorption capacity, and antimicrobial properties. Carbon-based nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and graphene derivatives, metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles such as iron oxide, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and silver, nanocomposite membranes, and nano-adsorbents have been investigated for contaminant removal. Their major mechanisms include adsorption, photocatalytic degradation, membrane separation, chemical reduction, and microbial inactivation. Recent research also emphasises green synthesis, immobilised nanomaterials, magnetic nanoparticles, and multifunctional nanocomposites to improve efficiency and reduce environmental risks. However, challenges including high production costs, nanoparticle aggregation, recovery and reuse, membrane fouling, potential toxicity, environmental persistence, scalability, and regulatory requirements must be addressed before widespread implementation. Future research should focus on safe-by-design nanomaterials, sustainable synthesis, life-cycle assessment, regeneration, resource recovery, and integration with conventional treatment systems. Overall, nanotechnology offers significant potential for developing efficient, sustainable, and multifunctional water-treatment technologies when environmental safety and responsible deployment are considered.
Keywords: Nanomaterials, Water purification, Wastewater treatment, Environmental pollution, Nanoadsorbents, Photocatalysis, Nanomembranes, Heavy metals, Emerging contaminants, Nanotechnology
How to Cite?: Dr. Rajkumar Hosdodde, "Nanomaterials for Water Purification and Environmental Pollution Control: Applications, Challenges and Future Prospects", Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1713-1716, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26824094142, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26824094142