Carbon nanotube-wastewater treatment nexus: Where are we heading to?

• Published in: Environmental research 2023-12, Vol.238, p.117088-117088, Article 117088
• Main Authors: Mishra, Yachana, Mishra, Vijay, Chattaraj, Aditi, Aljabali, Alaa A.A., El-Tanani, Mohamed, Farani, Marzieh Ramezani, Huh, Yun Suk, Serrano-Aroca, Ãngel, Tambuwala, Murtaza M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon nanotube; Functionalization; Nanocomposite; Water treatment
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117088

Water treatment is crucial in solving the rising people's appetite for water and global water shortages. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have considerable promise for water treatment because of their adjustable and distinctive arbitrary, physical, as well as chemical characteristics. This illustrates the benefits and risks of integrating CNT into the traditional water treatment resource. Due to their outstanding adsorbent ability and chemical and mechanical properties, CNTs have gained global consideration in environmental applications. The desalination and extraction capability of CNT were improved due to chemical or physical modifications in pure CNTs by various functional groups. The CNT-based composites have many benefits, such as antifouling performance, high selectivity, and increased water permeability. Nevertheless, their full-scale implementations are still constrained by their high costs. Functionalized CNTs and their promising nanocomposites to eliminate contaminants are advised for marketing and extensive water/wastewater treatment. [Display omitted] •CNTs show potential in water treatment due to unique physicochemical properties.•Functionalized CNTs demonstrated enhanced desalination and extraction capabilities.•CNT's functionalization increases its adsorption capacity for water contaminants.•Suitability of CNT-based membranes must be established for their long-term use.•Scale-up, toxicity, and environmental issues of CNT need further investigation.