A review: metal and metal oxide nanoparticles for environmental applications

Environmental pollution has become a major issue since chemical species from different sources (e.g., textile industries, paper industries, dye industries, etc.) have been introduced into our living environment. If these chemical species are not properly treated, they will be highly toxic and hazardous to living organisms. Thus, it is important to remove the chemical species before discharge into the environment. Varieties of techniques, such as degradation, adsorption, photocatalysis, etc., have been employed to remove the chemical species. In recent years, metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, which exhibit high degradation and adsorption performance, have been widely used in environmental treatment. Here we provide a detailed overview of the environmental applications of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, particularly in water treatment. The metal and metal oxide nanoparticles possess immense potential in environmental applications, however, challenges such as agglomeration, toxicity concerns, and cost-effectiveness are acknowledged. Through a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, this review systematically integrates critical research data. And it presents relevant research findings, aiming to explore environmentally sustainable nanomaterials with superior contaminant removal efficiency and broad applicability.