Nanoparticles as Sorbents for Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Aqueous Solutions - Nanotechnologies for Water Environment Applications - page 154

being, pursued on the synthesis of nanoparticles and their surface modification, as
well as in remediation mechanisms and process optimization. High surface reactivity
and inexpensiveness of the iron-based nanoparticles, as well as synthetic versatility in
alteration of surface functionality will maintain their wide popularity among
environmental scientists and technologies. Polymeric nanoparticles represent another
attractive alternative that could be engineered to display high adsorption capacity and
selectivity, as well as reusability through desorption-regeneration treatment.

Nonetheless, few major challenges obstructing wide-scale application of these
engineered nanoparticles remains ahead. Remaining technical challenges would lie in
the scale-of-economic production of the novel nanoparticles discussed, as well as the
transformation of the existing nanomaterial manufacturing process to one that is more
environmental-friendly. To further reduce the overall cost of nanoparticle-enhanced
environmental applications, one should explore the regeneration and find ways in
enhancing the reusability as well as lengthening their operating lifespan. Interfacial
properties of engineered nanoparticles are often altered to yield favorable remediation
performance in laboratory setting, which may often result in their unforeseen
environmental fate and transport during actual treatment. In-depth assessment of
nanoparticles and related processes' ecological impacts is no less important than the
technical challenges, and is multidisciplinary by nature, which requires input from
experts from chemistry, engineering, medicine and ecology (Colvin, 2003).

6.5 References
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