Surface Modified Carbon Nanotubes for Organic Pollutants' Removal

Water contamination by organic pollutants is a major environmental problem and it threatens to aquatic living beings as well as humans. So far, several decontamination methods were proposed for elimination of various pollutants from wastewater. Application of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-based nanomaterials in these decontamination methods is also extensive. In this regard, this chapter discussed the utilization of surface modified CNTs in some important water decontamination methods including physical and chemical methods. Initially, the fundamental information regarding aquatic organic pollutants and their removal methods were introduced. Basic of surface modified CNTs has been given. Then, the application of surface modified CNTs-based nanomaterials as adsorbent in adsorption and nanofiltration was explained. The catalytic performances of modified CNTs-based nanomaterials in catalytic oxidation/reduction, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis and sonocatalysis, reported for pollutants such as dyes, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, solvents, etc., have also been described. The significance of operative parameters including dosage, pH, time, additional chemicals, initial concentration of pollutants etc., has also been deduced. Further, the hybrid decontamination techniques involving CNTs-based nanomaterials were outlined. The conclusion of this chapter was sketched at the end of this chapter.