Nanotechnology in Air Pollution Remediation

Abstract

Air pollution is a major concern worldwide with consequences for the environment and human health. The latest developments in nanotechnology can contribute to potential solutions for the air contamination issues and remarkably increase the selectivity as well as efficiency of air purification systems, thus providing cost efficiency and longer-term performance. Air pollution could be remediated with the help of nanotechnology in different ways, such as using nanoadsorbents, nanofilters, nanocatalysts, and nanosensors. It is extremely important and urgent to design as well as develop nano-enabled filters, membranes, adsorbents, sensors, and catalysts that demonstrate improved performance for the control of air pollution. This chapter focuses on the utilization of various nanomaterials in air pollution remediation applications. We examine mostly the carbon-based nanomaterials together with metal-based nanomaterials for the removal of pollutants from the atmosphere. Finally, the possible adverse impacts of the atmospheric nanomaterials (carbon-based nanomaterials and metal-based nanomaterials) are also discussed.