Fecha de publicación: 01/01/2025 Fuente: Materials Abstract
The development of civilization and the explosion of population has resulted in an increase in contaminants in natural media such as water, soil, and air caused by nonbiodegradable pollutants including pesticides, heavy metals, dyes, pharmaceutical effluents, etc. Consequently, before being discharged into the environment, contaminants must be removed. Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs), that is, nanofillers dispersed in a polymer matrix, have gained prominence in current research due to rapid progress in polymer science and nanotechnology. These composite materials are used in a wide range of environmental friendly industries because of their affordable price and lightweight and have high particular strength. These techniques have shown efficiencies in the removal of organic and inorganic contaminants, as well as heavy metals and microbes from polluted effluents, with the additional advantage of easier recovery for further reusability. Furthermore, PNCs are further contributing toward electrochemical sensors as a new approach to monitor and detect pollution in a wide variety of environments. This has led to ecofriendly nanofiller-reinforced nanocomposites finding applications in wastewater treatment, pollutant sensors, biodegradable polymers, and water and air filters. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of nanofiller research and advancement that pertains to environmental issues.