This chapter reveals that the pressure-driven membrane processes such as reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF), ultrafiltration

(UF), and microfiltration (MF) are emerging as key components of water purification systems throughout the world. The bulk of the capital and operating costs of membrane systems is associated with the high pressure needed to remove dissolved contaminants. RO and NF are very effective at removing dissolved ions and organic solutes. However, high pressures are required to operate RO and NF membranes. Conversely, UF and MF membranes require much lower pressure. Unfortunately, they are not effective at retaining dissolved ions and organic solutes. This chapter has developed a dendrimer enhanced filtration (DEF) process that can remove dissolved substances using UF and MF. Dendrimers are highly branched 3D globular nanopolymers with controlled composition and architecture. They have many reactive functional sites and binding pockets per molecule, and their globular shape and large size makes them easier to filter than linear polymers.

Several natural and engineered nanomaterials, such as silver (nAg), titanium oxide (TiO2), and carbon nanotubes (CNT), are known to have antibacterial properties and are under consideration as disinfecting agents for water treatment systems. Their antimicrobial mechanisms are diverse, including photocatalytic production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that inactivate viruses and cleave DNA, disruption of the structural integrity of the bacterial cell envelope resulting in leakage of intracellular components, and interruption of energy transduction. In order for a material to be used for water disinfection, it must exhibit potent antimicrobial activity while remaining harmless to humans at relevant doses. However, other factors can also hinder its viability as a disinfectant. For suspended nanoparticles, these factors include the presence of salts that promote coagulation and precipitation, natural organic matter that coats or sorbs on nanoparticles and reduce their bioavailability, and competing species that consume ROS.Article OutlineAbstract12.1. Introduction12.2. Current and Potential Applications12.2.1. Nanosilver12.2.2. Titanium Oxide12.2.3. Fullerenes12.2.4. Combining Current Technologies with Nanotechnology12.3. Outlook on the Role of Nanotechnology in Microbial Control: Limitations and Research NeedsReferences Publisher SummaryThis chapter details recent progress toward the development of the proposed applications. It examines the development of fullerene composite materials using CNTs to strengthen membranes and modify membrane surface chemistry. It explores the use of fullerene nanomaterials to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) as the basis for a range of new technologies including in situ generation of oxidants to destroy trace organic compounds, new strategies for disinfection, the inhibition of biofilm development, and reduced biofouling. The use of fullerenes in conjunction with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is considered as an advanced disinfection process (ADP) for viral inactivation. Fullerenes are a class of molecules composed entirely of carbon. The first of these molecules, Buckminsterfiillerene, was discovered in 1985 and contains 60 carbons in the form of a hollow spherical cagc consisting of 12 pentagonal and 20 hexagonal faces.Article OutlineAbstract13.1. Introduction13.2. Chemistry of Fullerene Nanomaterials13.3. Applications of Fullerene Nanomaterials13.3.1. Membrane Fabrication Using Fullerene Nanomaterials13.3.2. Oxidation of Organic Compounds13.3.3. Bacterial and Viral Inactivation13.4. Summary

This chapter summarizes recent work on the development of an electrically switched ion exchange (ESIX) technology based on conducting polymer/carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites as a new and cost-effective approach for the removal of radioactive cesium, chromate, and perchlorate from contaminated groundwater. The efficiency of these ESIX systems can be significantly improved through nanotechnology by providing better electrochemical stability and a larger contact area with wastewater. Therefore, the combination of novel electroactive ion exchange material with nanotechnology will lead to the development of more efficient and economic wastewater treatment systems based on ESIX technology.Article OutlineAbstract14.1. Introduction14.2. Principle of the Electrically Switched Ion Exchange Technology14.3. Nanomaterials-Enhanced Electrically Switched Ion Exchange for Removal of Radioactive Cesium-13714.4. Nanomaterials-Enhanced Electrically Switched Ion Exchange for Removal of Chromate and Perchlorate14.5. ConclusionsAcknowledgmentsReferences Intensive farming, rapid industrialization, and increasingly sophisticated lifestyles have added artificial chemicals into many water bodies. Although pesticide residues in groundwater were unexpected years ago as soil was thought to act as a filter, it is an established fact that water derived from groundwater sources is contaminated with them in many parts of the world. Even though these levels are significant vis--vis the permissible limits, the concentrations are low in comparison to those of other commonly encountered chemicals, and purification technologies have to be efficient for them to be removed at affordable cost. In addition, the process kinetics has to be reasonably fast so that the amount of adsorbent required is minimal. For such a solution to be useful for all strata of society, the solution should be economically attractive, requiring zero electricity and minimum maintenance. It is imperative to understand that any novel technology should solve drinking water contamination problems in their entirety and not result in toxic by-products or residuals. These offer numerous challenges to chemistry and engineering, some of which are discussed in this chapter with selected examples.Article OutlineAbstract15.1. Introduction15.2. The Need for Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology15.3. Earlier Efforts at Pesticide Removal15.3.1. Surface Adsorption15.3.2. Biological Degradation15.3.3. Membrane Filtration15.4. Nanomaterials Based Chemistry: Recent Approaches15.4.1. Homogeneous versus Heterogeneous Chemistry15.4.2. Variety of Nanosystems15.5. Pesticide Removal from Drinking Water A Case Study15.5.1. Noble Metal Nanoparticle Based Mineralization of Pesticides15.5.2. Detection of Ultralow Pesticide Contamination in Water15.5.3. Technology to Product A Snapshot View15.6. ConclusionsReferences Purchase $31.50