Advanced Functional Nanostructures based on Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanomaterials for Water Remediation: A Review

The fast growth of industrialization combined with the increasing population has led to an unparalleled demand for providing water in a safe, reliable, and cost-effective way, which has become one of the biggest challenges of the twenty-first century faced by global society. The application of nanotechnology in water treatment and pollution cleanup is a promising alternative in order to overcome the current limitations. In particular, the application of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONs) for environmental remediation has currently received remarkable attention due to its unique combination of physicochemical and magnetic properties. Given the broadening use of these functional engineered nanomaterials, there is a growing concern about the adverse effects upon exposure of products and by-products to the environment. This makes vitally relevant the development of green chemistry in the synthesis processes combined with a trustworthy risk assessment of the nanotoxicity of MIONs as the scientific knowledge of the potential hazard of nanomaterials remains limited. This work provides comprehensive coverage of the recent progress on designing and developing iron oxide-based nanomaterials through a green synthesis strategy, including the use of benign solvents and ligands. Despite the limitations of nanotoxicity and environmental risks of iron oxide-based nanoparticles for the ecosystem, this critical review presents a contribution to the emerging knowledge concerning the theoretical and experimental studies on the toxicity of MIONs. Potential improvement of applications of advanced iron oxide-based hybrid nanostructures in water treatment and pollution control is also addressed in this review. (c) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The rapid industrialization and population growth have led to an unprecedented demand for safe, reliable, and cost-effective water supply, with the application of nanotechnology showing promise in water treatment and pollution cleanup, particularly the use of MIONs for environmental remediation. Despite concerns about nanotoxicity and environmental risks, the development of green synthesis strategies and risk assessment are vital for expanding the applications of iron oxide-based nanomaterials. This critical review contributes to the emerging knowledge on the toxicity of MIONs and highlights the potential improvements in water treatment and pollution control using advanced iron oxide-based hybrid nanostructures.