Nanomaterials for detection and removal of gases

Lot of toxic gas pollutants (volatile organic compounds and particulate matter ) are released into the atmosphere from various industrial and human activities. Nanotechnology is an efficient tool to detect the toxic gas pollutants from ppb to ppm level. Nanomaterials are widely studied in this research area owing to their unique physicochemical characteristics. The benefits of nanomaterials for the detection and removal of gas pollutants are described comprehensively in this chapter. Oxide and carbon nanomaterials are utilized in electrochemical, photoionization, and optical gas sensors for the detection of gases. Titania (TiO₂) photocatalysis and adsorption are the most appropriate techniques on the removal of gas pollutants such as benzene, toluene, xylene, formaldehyde, nitrogen oxide (NO_x), and sulfur oxide (SO_x). Besides, the technologies such as cyclone separators, electrostatic precipitator, fabric filter, wet scrubber, and nonthermal plasma are used to treat the contaminated air at high concentration.