Fabrication and applications of ceramic nanofibers in water remediation: A review

ABSTRACT

Availability of clean water is a prerequisite for human survival and civilization. Realization of ceramic nanofibers developed by electrospinning technique can meet the existing challenges of effective and sustainable water remediation. Though different techniques have been exploited for the fabrication of nanofibers, there is still a need of some simple, cost-effective, and efficient strategy in water treatment processes. Herein, electrospinning technique has found huge consideration for its potential in fabricating low cost ceramic nanofibers with unique physicochemical properties. Such fabricated nanofibers are highly porous with elongated structure and increased surface area making them suitable for adsorption and photocatalytic activities. Thus ceramic nanofibers and the membranes thereof are highly proficient in the removal of different types of water contaminants such as organic, inorganic, and biological pollutants. Besides, nanofibers show continuity in their morphology, which enables their easy separation from the treated water and hence not adding more toward the water contamination due to the process itself. In short, the authors emphasize the fabrication of ceramic nanofibers and their effective utilization in water treatment processes via adsorption and photocatalysis to eliminate various types of pollutants making the water and hence environment clean.

KEYWORDS:

• Electrospinning
• ceramic nanofibers
• water remediation
• adsorption
• photocatalysis

Funding

The authors give sincere thanks to the Department of Science and Technology (Water Technology Initiative, Project No. DST/TM/WTI/2K13/94 (G)), Government of India, for the financial support.