Applications of nanomaterials for water disinfection

The presence of harmful pathogens in water is a major threat to human health when it comes to drinking water and hygiene. In addition to that, the emergence of new pathogens and antimicrobial resistance microbes will further challenge the operation of water treatment plants. Hence, there is a pressing need to develop cost-effective treatment technologies that will ensure safe and clean water supply for drinking and sanitation requirements. In recent years, nanomaterials have been extensively studied to inactivate waterborne pathogens. This chapter provides a short review of the applications of nanomaterials for disinfection against bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. The first section of the chapter briefly discusses the type of nanomaterials, synthesis protocols, and disinfection mechanisms. The subsequent section discusses some of the experimental studies related to the inactivation of bacteria, protozoa, and viruses using various nanomaterials. Challenges and limitations of nanomaterials in water treatment applications are also discussed towards the end of the chapter.