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The promising applications of nanoparticles for synthetic dyes removal from wastewater: recent review

Tanmay Ilame (WASH, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India)
Arpita Ghosh (Centre for Sustainability and Environmental Management, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sirmaur, Paonta Sahib, India)

Management of Environmental Quality

ISSN: 1477-7835

Article publication date: 3 December 2021

Issue publication date: 21 February 2022

339

Abstract

Purpose

Water is a vital natural resource without which life on earth would be impossible. Properties of synthetic dyes like high stability and noxious nature make it difficult to remove them from the effluent. This review focuses on the removal of synthetic dyes using nanoparticles (NPs) based on the adsorption principle.

Design/methodology/approach

Adsorption technique is widely used to remove synthetic dyes from their aqueous solution for decades. Synthetic dye removal using NPs is promising, less energy-intensive and has become popular in recent years. NPs are in high demand for treating wastewater using the adsorption principle due to their tiny size and vast surface area. To maximise environmental sustainability, the utilisation of green-produced NPs as efficient catalysts for dye removal has sparked attention amongst scientists.

Findings

This review has prioritised research and development of optimal dye removal systems that can be used to efficiently remove a large quantity of dye in a short period while safeguarding the environment and producing fewer harmful by-products. The removal efficiency of synthetic dye using different NPs in wastewater treatment varies mostly between 75% to almost 100%. This review will aid in the scaling up of the wastewater treatment process.

Research limitations/implications

There is a lack of research emphasis on the safe disposal of NPs once the reuse efficiency significantly drops. The relevance of cost analysis is equally critical, yet only a few papers discuss cost-related information.

Originality/value

Comprehensive and planned research in this area can aid in the development of long-term wastewater treatment technology to meet the growing need for safe and reliable water emphasising reuse and desorption efficiency of the NPs.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The first author (Mr. Tanmay Ilame) is deeply indebted to Prof. Arpita Ghosh, Assistant Professor, IIM, Sirmaur, for her valuable guidance, keen interest, untiring efforts and continuous encouragement throughout the work. The authors are grateful to IIM, Sirmaur for providing the research internship opportunity and also to TISS, Tuljapur, for enabling to continue with the external internship.

Citation

Ilame, T. and Ghosh, A. (2022), "The promising applications of nanoparticles for synthetic dyes removal from wastewater: recent review", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 33 No. 2, pp. 451-477. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-07-2021-0179

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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