Iron and iron oxide-based eco-nanomaterials for catalysis and water remediation

Abstract

Population and their civilization in current age of science and technology increase the environmental load due to excessive consumption of materials and energy. Increase in environmental load is a deteriorating condition for sustainability of life on earth. Hence, minimization of environmental load has now become a key factor for sustainable development of life on earth. Ecomaterials are very promising materials to minimize the environmental load that would harmonize life with the environment. The materials which do not harm the environment in respect to its production, use, and disposal are termed as ecomaterials. Nowadays, nanoscience and nanotechnology both play a very important role in the field of scientific research and development due to its present and promising future applications in fabrications of ecomaterials. Iron and iron oxide-based nanomaterials play a very important role as ecomaterials with multidimensional applications, i.e., catalysis, water remediation, biomedical applications, metallurgy, colored pigments, magnetic materials, etc. Size and surface chemistrycontrolled fabrication of iron and iron oxide-based nanomaterials are essential factors for its various applications. This chapter mainly summarizes the fundamental chemistry, fabrication, and applications of iron-based nanomaterials.