Clay-Based Nanocomposites: Potential Materials for Water Treatment Applications

Abstract

Water treatment with its current level of pollution and increased complexity of pollutants has become a major concern and grand challenge for ensuring sustainability of water nowadays. Nanoclays and their composites have played an increasingly important role in dealing with these multifaceted pollution perspectives. These clay minerals exist in various types having basic structure of aluminosilicates but vary in their properties like cation-exchange capacity, swelling tendency, surface area, and chemical and mechanical strengths that directly or indirectly impact their adsorption capacity. This chapter reviews and summarizes the recent technological advancements circling around the nanoclays, nano-organoclays, and their nanocomposites focusing on the mechanistic ways that affect the adsorption of pollutants from the aqueous media. The modifications implied to these nanoclays have extended their applications by enhancing their properties resulting in strong ability to sorb organic, inorganic, and even biological impurities in potable as well as wastewater.