Recent advances of magnetite nanomaterials to remove arsenic from water

Abstract

Pure water is one of the major requirements for living beings but water bodies are contaminated with toxic pollutants and heavy metals. Around 225–500 million people on the earth depend on groundwater, which is highly contaminated by arsenic. Arsenic impurities are present in water as arsenite As(III) and arsenate As(V). Arsenic is a highly toxic metalloid ranking one in toxicity. Researchers have been exploring new techniques and methods to purify water. Magnetic nanoparticles have high absorption and reaction capabilities due to their high surface-to-volume ratio and quantum size effects. Due to their high magnetization, adsorption behaviour, and biodegradability, magnetite nanomaterials are considered excellent materials to purify water. These nanomaterials and their composites are cost-effective as well as they can be easily separated, regenerated, and reused. This review gives a recent overview of the potential of magnetite nanoparticles and their composites to treat contaminated water and remove unwanted arsenic impurities.