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A review on the removal of heavy metals from water using nanomaterials
Received:November 17, 2017  
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KeyWord:nanomaterials;heavy metals;remediation;water
Author NameAffiliationE-mail
ZHU Dan-dan College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Eco-Environment Remediation and Pollution Control, Tianjin 300071, China  
ZHOU Qi-xing College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Eco-Environment Remediation and Pollution Control, Tianjin 300071, China zhouqx@nankai.edu.cn 
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Abstract:
      With the rapid development of industrialization, numerous types of heavy metals enter the environment, leading to many environmental and health problems. Nanomaterials, which offer a simple, low-cost and efficient way to remove heavy metals, have been focused and studied widely in recent years. In this review, the applications of nano zero-valent iron, iron oxides, iron sulfides, carbon nanotubes, graphene, manganese oxides, aluminum oxides, titanium dioxides, polymer nanomaterials and chitosan nanomaterials in remediation of contaminated water were comprehensively summarized. Secondly, the mechanisms of heavy metal ions removed by nanomaterials, such as adsorption (physical adsorption and chemisorption), redox mechanism, photocatalytic reduction and precipitation were discussed. Furthermore, the research status, advantages and disadvantages of nanomaterials through listing tables were systematically introduced and some influencing factors involved in solution pH, metal concentrations, time, temperature, nanomaterial property, and ion strength were analyzed. Finally, the prospect of nanomaterials on the removal of heavy metals was considered. It is proposed, that in the future, the research of nanomaterials should focus on the development of low-cost, simpler and higher efficiency materials for the removal of heavy metals, with an established use standard. Additionally, the joint adsorption of different pollutants, and joint remediation of different methods is another major direction to consider in the future.