Metal oxide nanocomposites in water and wastewater treatment

A molecule containing two hydrogens (H) and one oxygen (O) atom with the general formula H2O is influencing every aspect of the environment, living as well as nonliving organisms. Water is the most abundant source material in the ecosystem, constituting 70% or more of the weight of most organisms. All lives on the Earth depend on water as the vital imput for life susceptibility. Several pollutants such as dyes, pharmaceuticals, and phenolic compounds, which can cause toxic effects to human health, have been identified in water resources. Water pollution caused by toxic and hardly-degradable organic and inorganic pollutants has posed a severe danger to human well-being and growth. To reduce the toxic effect on ecology, researchers are trying to answer the problems caused by water pollution using nanotechnology. Over the past few decades, many scientific works have been focused on the development of nanomaterials in the treatment of water and wastewater. Metal oxide composites are gaining more attention in water and wastewater treatment due to their enhanced properties than their individual counter components. This chapter describes the implication of various metal oxide-based nanocomposites in water and wastewater treatment.