Application of Nanotechnology in Water Research

Chapter 8

Application of Carbon Nanotube-Polymer Composites and Carbon Nanotube-Semiconductor Hybrids in Water Treatment

G. Mamba*, X.Y. Mbianda and A.K. Mishra

Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, Faculty of Science, Johannesburg, South Africa

*Corresponding author: [e-mail]

Abstract

Nanotechnology has initiated a massive revolution in water research with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and their derivatives proving to be potential tools for environmental clean-up. Carbon nanotubes possess a set of unique physical and chemical properties which has enabled their vast application in various fields including water treatment research. This chapter gives a comprehensive review of the recent trends in the use of CNT-polymer composites and CNT-based nanocomposites for the adsorption of textile dyes from aqueous medium. Moreover, the use of CNT modified semiconductor photo catalysts for the degradation of dyes is discussed in this chapter. Adsorption and photo catalytic degradation mechanisms are also discussed herein.

Keywords: Photo catalysts, carbon nanotubes, adsorption, semiconductor, nanotechnology

8.1 Introduction

Water pollution is a global environmental concern that presents serious challenges to various industrial sectors. This problem is hard felt in the developing countries where water treatment tools and methods are still in their infancy or are not easily accessible due to financial constraints. Consequently, a worldwide estimation of 1 billion people ...