About this Research Topic

Background

Life has offered man ample resources upon which innovative ideas can thrive to bring about sustainable technologies which proffer solutions to existing problems. Environmental pollution poses a lot of threats to human life and the Earth’s valuable resources/water bodies, especially as it relates to I) the release of toxic compounds from effluents, which render these systems unsafe for habitation by humans and aquatic life, and II) to soil pollution, which has tremendous effects on food production. Hence, the need for improved technologies to render these systems safe for consumption and also fit for energy generation, since contaminated waters cause equipment corrosion and ill operations. One such measure is the use of nanotechnology, e.g., the use of green nanoparticles synthesized from plants, hybrid systems from nanocomposite polymers, nanographene-based compounds/nano-zeolites, etc. This special issue focuses on quality submissions within the spread of topics itemized in a later section.

Water pollution is a serious problem that has immense consequences ranging from health-related diseases to environmental degradation, as well as loss of aquatic lives. Several aquatic animals which serve as food have become extinct owing to the adverse effects of toxins released into these water bodies which not only contaminate them but also renders them unsafe for consumption. Recent advances in research have revealed the contributions of nanotechnology to pollution control. These systems are not only human-friendly, but sustainable to ensure a life-long provision of safe water for use. The World Health Organization has documented recorded a record increase in diseases owing to the exposure of humans to unsafe water. Also, water pollution or contamination leads to water shortages which makes life uncomfortable for humans, especially for those living in rural areas. Boreholes close to plastic, paint, and steel industries where chips/pigments from these sources find their way into aquifers via transportation by agents of denudation to such sites are also of great concern. When these waters are consumed, they poison their hosts which results in dire consequences, hence the need to search out viable solutions to curb/resolve the problem.

We welcome the submission of Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, technical and Perspective papers on the theme, included but not limited to:

- Nanotechnology for plastic influx control in drinkable waters

- Nano-based materials for conversion of wastewater contaminants into value-added products.

- Remediation of contaminated boiler feed water for steam generation using nanotechnology

- Nanocomposite membranes for wastewater treatment

- Polymer nanocomposites for water treatment applications

- Application of nanotechnology in the removal of toxins from contaminated streams

- Comparative study of methods of synthesizing nanoparticles and their efficacy for water/wastewater treatment

- Graphene and graphene-based nanocomposites for water purification

- Single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes for wastewater treatment

- Desalination of wastewater using nanotechnology in reverse osmosis, pervaporation, distillation etc.

- Detoxification of contaminated waters using photocatalytic-nano-based technologies

- Application of nanotechnology in reverse electrodialysis

Frontiers in Nanotechnology will fully waive the article processing charges of the first two accepted submissions to this Research Topic. Please get in touch with the Editorial Team at nanotechnology@frontiersin.org if you are interested in this offer.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Nanotechnology, Wastewater, Environmental Pollution, Water Pollution, Environmental Remediation, Pollutants

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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