Archive | 2019
Development of nanomaterial-based photocatalytic membrane for organic pollutants removal
Abstract
Abstract Organic pollutants consistently produced by various industries have profound effects on environments and all species inhabiting them. Industries such as plastics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and textiles are some examples of contributors toward these resistant pollutants, which can cause eutrophication and bioaccumulation of contaminants in fauna and are detrimental to the human hormonal system. Currently, extensive studies are focused on remediation strategies for these organic pollutants. Application of photocatalytic membranes has emerged as a very promising technique to solve this problem. Photocatalytic membranes integrate both photocatalysis, which can degrade organic pollutants into harmless by-products, and membrane technology, a very versatile separation technique. In this chapter, a thorough discussion of two prominent categories of organic pollutants, endocrine disrupting chemicals and synthetic dyes, is presented. Next, the current trends in developing photocatalytic membranes as a promising method for organic pollutants treatment are highlighted. Finally, the challenges faced by this technology and its future prospects are reviewed.