Nanoferrites for wastewater treatment

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-22232-0.00007-1

Water pollution remains a pressing global concern, with far-reaching implications for public health and the environment. To address this challenge, researchers have explored innovative approaches to develop efficient and sustainable water purification technologies. Soft nanoferrites, a class of magnetic nanomaterials, have emerged as promising candidates for advanced water treatment due to their unique properties and versatile applications. Soft nanoferrites are characterized by their high surface area, excellent magnetic properties, and tunable surface chemistry, making them ideal candidates for removing a wide range of contaminants from water sources. These contaminants include heavy metals, organic pollutants, and pathogens, which pose significant threats to both human health and aquatic ecosystems. This chapter delves into the synthesis methods and functionalization strategies employed to tailor soft nanoferrites for specific water purification applications. Additionally, it explores the mechanisms underlying the adsorption, catalytic degradation, and magnetic separation processes that facilitate the efficient removal of contaminants from water matrices. Soft nanoferrite−based water purification technologies, including their integration into multifunctional filtration systems, magnetically assisted separation processes, and sustainable regeneration approaches using soft nanoferrites in water treatment processes are also discussed. These innovations offer the potential to revolutionize water treatment by providing cost-effective, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly solutions for addressing water pollution challenges. This chapter provides an insight into the key developments, challenges, and prospects of this emerging field, emphasizing the potential of soft nanoferrites to play a pivotal role in ensuring access to clean and safe water resources worldwide.