Adsorption and desorption properties of carbon nanomaterials, the potential for water treatments and associated risks

Abstract

The water technologies based on the physicochemical adsorption are methods extensively used because are fast, efficient, and cost effective. In this regard, the adsorption capabilities of carbonaceous materials have been widely exploited. From the activated carbon, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to the latest graphene-based materials are highly efficient for contaminant removal from aqueous solution because of their large specific surface area, porosity, and reactivity, in particular, in the case of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs). In this chapter, the adsorption properties and mechanisms of CNMs are revised. The recent developments for contaminants removal from aqueous systems are provided, the most relevant works discussed, and the development tendency of adsorbents are analysed in detail. However the potential of CNMs as emerging environmental contaminants should be as well deemed. Therefore, the methods to minimize the impact of the use of these new materials in waters technology are account and, the studies on the environmental occurrence, fate and behaviour of CNMs as emerging contaminants will be presented. To conclude, the potential associated risks of CNMs as environmental contaminants is considered, with particular attention to their influence on the toxicity modulation of co-contaminants in the same compartments.