Application of nanotechnology in wastewater treatment

Klasični postupci obrade (pročišćavanja) otpadnih voda uključuju različite fizikalne, kemijske i biološke postupke čija primjena može biti ograničena zbog velikih investicijskih troškova ili u nekim slučajevima slabe efikasnosti pročišćavanja. Zbog toga se kontinuirano istražuju novi načini obrade otpadnih voda koji bi poslužili kao nadopuna ili alternativa klasičnim postupcima. U radu je dan osvrt na razvoj nanotehnologije u pročišćavanju otpadnih voda, utjecaj nanomaterijala na zdravlje ljudi i okoliš te prikaz budućih trendova razvoja nanotehnologije.Conventional wastewater treatment methods include various physical, chemical and biological processes. The results of such treatment can be limited because of high investment cost or, in some cases, due to poor treatment efficiency. For that reason, new approaches are continuously being developed as a means of supplementing or replacing traditional water treatment methods. The paper provides an overview of development of nanotechnology over time in the sphere of wastewater treatment, and examines the influence of nanomaterials on human health and environment, while also providing a review of future development trends in nanotechnology