Removal of arsenic from water using nano adsorbents and challenges: A review

J Environ Manage. 2016 Jan 15:166:387-406. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.10.039. Epub 2015 Nov 5.

Abstract

Many researchers have used nanoparticles as adsorbents to remove water pollutants including arsenic after modifying the properties of nanoparticles by improving reactivity, biocompatibility, stability, charge density, multi-functionalities, and dispersibility. For arsenic removal, nano adsorbents emerged as the potential alternatives to existing conventional technologies. The present study critically reviewed the past and current available information on the potential of nano adsorbents for arsenic removal from contaminated water and the challenges involved in that. The study discussed the separation and regeneration techniques of nano adsorbents and the performance thereof. The study evaluated the adsorption efficiency of the various nanoparticles based on size of nanoparticles, types of nano adsorbents, method of synthesis, separation and regeneration of the nano adsorbents. The study found that more studies are required on suitable holding materials for the nano adsorbents to improve the permeability and to make the technology applicable at the field condition. The study will help the readers to choose suitable nanomaterials and to take up further research required for arsenic removal using nano adsorbents.

Keywords: Adsorption; Arsenic; Nano adsorbents; Regeneration; Review; Separation; Supporting material.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Arsenic / analysis*
  • Arsenic / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry
  • Water Purification / methods*

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Water
  • Arsenic