Past, Present and Future of Nanomaterials in Pollution Management

Abstract

Nanomaterials are becoming important in environmental remediation by proposing creative methods to tackle soil, water, and air pollution. This chapter explains in detail how carbon-based nanomaterials and photocatalytic metal oxides were followed by well-known metal–organic frameworks and metal–organic structures like nanoscale zero-valent iron. They are now used effectively in air purifying devices (nanocatalysts and nanofibre filters), water treatment (adsorption, photocatalysis, and soil membrane filtration), and cleaning (nanocomposites). Although they have great potential, problems such as toxicity to the environment, high production costs, and lack of proper regulations remain. New techniques could feature artificial intelligence (AI) in the design of materials, self-repairing nanomaterials, nanosensors to monitor life, and the use of green and circular models to improve sustainability. When informed by ethics, nanomaterials can be an important factor in preserving the environment for everyone, especially future generations.