Surface Engineered Magnetic Biosorbents for Water Treatment

Abstract

Water pollution is a matter of concern because of the adverse impact of contaminants on environment and human health. Common polymer-based sorbents are difficult to separate from treated water, a limitation that has restrained their use. Nanomaterials with magnetic features appear as advantageous alternatives to these conventional biosorbents offering the advantage of fast and easy magnetically-assisted separation. Moreover owing to reduced dimensions magnetic nanomaterials possess large specific surface area that favours adsorption. The surface modification with biopolymers enhances the adsorptive capabilities of magnetic nanoparticles without compromising the low-cost. However, in order to attain high-performance, a rational design of the surface of the magnetic biosorbents is essential.