Page 623 - Polymer-based Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications

Polymer nanocomposites for water treatments 575

Fig. 21.6 Schematic illustration of three different types of thermodynamically achievable
polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites.
Reproduced with the permission from Copyright 2003 Elsevier.

removed from wastewater effectively by using suitable adsorbents. Different types of
adsorbents are being used for the removal of pollutants from wastewater [25]. The
choice of adsorbent for the treatment of a wastewater is based on the concentration
and type of the micropollutants present in the wastewater. Since the volume of the
water to be purified is generally large, the adsorbent to be used in the process should
possess high selectivity for the pollutant(s). Moreover, it should be nontoxic, regen-
erable, easily recoverable, relatively cheap, and readily available [26].
Out of engineered adsorbents, nanomaterials have been found to be the most effec-
tive adsorbents. Nanomaterials are excellent adsorbents, catalysts, and sensors due to