Karri RR (2018) Potential Applications of Nano Biotechnology for Treatment of Effluents and Industrial Wastewater. Chem Eng Process Tech 4(1): 1052

Chemical Engineering and Process Technologies journal supports the scientific innovation and technology advancements leading to tremendous growth in chemical industry and its affiliated process industries. These advancements in techniques and approaches will cater various research communities. In this regard, I would like to address “nanobiotechnology” which is one of the growing fields in chemical industry. The need for technological innovation to enable sustainable and integrated water management is a step forward for achieving water security.

Earth is made up of water, whereas, the demand for potable water is increasing due to enormous rise in population and the rapid growth in the industrial sector. The main threat for this increase in water demand would be to provide clean water to the public. On the other hand, the attainable supply of fresh water is going through a complication in which the total amount of freshwater is reducing due to global warming, population growth and more drastic regulation based on health. Hence, one can conserve the usage of water by further understanding on the use and reuse of products that being used to produce clean and potable water. An increase in the demand for clean water, accelerates the demand in the reuse of wastewater and freshwater. As to meet this demand, more novel techniques and framework for water treatment technology are required [1-3].

An extensive research is carrying out for many decades and novel techniques are emerging out which are efficient and cost effective. In this direction, presently more researchers are driven towards techniques utilizing nano-biotechnology to replace the current water treatment technology. Research that nanotechnology, which was enabled by an efficient and multifunctional process is anticipated to offer a satisfaction water treatment solution which doesn’t rely on any significant and expensive infrastructures. Hence, this astounding nanotechnology can be utilized with other water treatment methods as adsorption [4,5], coagulation, membrane technology, and photocatalysis establish a water treatment methods with higher efficiency, lower cost and environmentally acceptable. Applications of nanotechnology-based methods are finding many potential solutions in diverse fields, and this technology holds great potential for improving treatment efficiency. Its applications can many folds with the right choice of nonmaterial, understanding its inherent mechanisms.

Current nano-based methodologies in wastewater and effluent treatments

a. Carbon-based nano adsorbents

Carbon-based nano absorbents are evolving through the development of carbonaceous nanomaterials (CNMs) which includes carbon nanoparticles, carbon nano sheets and carbon nanotubes (CNT’s). CNT’s are more preferred as compared to activated carbons due to higher adsorption efficiency of numerous organic chemicals [6]. Its outstanding chemical resistance, high specific surface area, excellent adsorption capacity and mechanical strength diverse CNT applications [7]. CNT’s are particularly useful in removing heavy metals such as nickel ions (Ni2+) from water [8]. The surface characteristics of CNT’s can be improved further through grafting. The grafting comprises of functional groups through various processes such as microwave, plasma technique and chemical modification [9,10].

b. Metal-based nano adsorbents

These metal-based nano absorbents such as metal oxides (MO) are lower in cost and efficient adsorbents for removing heavy metals and radionuclides [11]. In Particular, MO based nanomaterials have exhibited superior performance over the traditional activated carbon form. The sorption in these adsorbents is significantly due to a combination of oxygen in metal oxides and dissolved metals. Besides, it is widely applicable for low cost. Oxides of magnesium, cerium and manganese are also very capable for removal of heavy metals [4,12]. The performance of adsorption of nano-based metal oxides depends on shape and size.

c. Polymeric nano adsorbents

These nano absorbents are proficient in removing both organics and heavy metals through specific cavities for removal of pollutants. Heavy metals are absorbed due to the presence of hydroxyl at the external surface, while organic pollutants from wastewater are removed due to sorption by the hydrophobic action at its inner surface. Synthetic polymers such as molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP’s) are gaining a reputation for wastewater treatment by mimicking natural detection and identification, demonstrating high affinity and selectivity for its structural analogs [13]. Polymeric nanoparticles obtained through synthesis of Fe- and Al- doped nano sized porous adsorbents has successfully removed arsenic(V) and fluoride ions from effluents and wastewater [14].

d. Magnetic nanoparticles

These magnetic based nanoparticlescomprise of two components, namely a magnetic material and a chemical component that has characteristics for removal of heavy metals. The significant advantages of using magnetic nanoparticles are faster and efficient method in comparison to filtration methods [15]. Super paramagnetic nanoparticles hold much potential for wastewater treatment since they express excellent biocompatibility which concerning the impacts of the material on the environment is an advantage compared to metallic nanoparticles. Magnetic particles become super paramagnetic when the size decreases which allow quick split-up and repossession by a low-gradient magnetic field due to loosing permanent magnetic moments attracted by external magnetic field.

Benefits of nano-biotechnology based applications for water sustainability

Nano-biotechnology was found many applications due to its immense benefits in addressing challenges related to food, water, and biodiversity. Due to its promising capability to enhance the quality of water resources for human utilization, it finds eminence for sustainability. The importance and alliance of nanoscience, nonmaterial’s, biotechnology and its associated fields, scientists and researchers are continuously striving in developing and fabricating innovative and functional biological nano-systems. Above all, the controlled exploration of engineered bio-coatings leads to the low-cost biochemical transformation of effluent and wastewaters with enhanced efficiency and intensity.

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