Impact and implications of nanocatalyst in the Fenton-like processes for remediation of aquatic environment contaminated with micro-pollutants: A critical review

Nanomaterials-mediated Fenton-like processes have received global interest because of their unique and efficient degradation efficacy towards potential micro-pollutants in aquatic environments. The Fenton-like approach is relatively promising, greener, and interestingly, the micro-pollutants are degraded to their end products efficiently. The conventional Fenton-like methods are concomitant with several limitations, including the high operational costs, risk possibility in handling, and the significant leaching of iron that causes indirect contamination. The advanced and newer nanocomposite materials have shown unique and advanced technological inputs in the development and optimized use of Fenton-like processes. Therefore, this communication's inherent objective is to critically review critically the role of various nanocomposite catalysts in the Fenton-like process. Further, the review extensively demonstrated the critical aspects of homogeneous chemistry to heterogeneous chemistry using nanomaterials and nanoparticles to degrade a wide range of emerging micro-pollutants. The critical parameters, viz., the support media, light energy, ultrasound, which significantly affect the efficiency of Fenton-like processes, are extensively demonstrated in the review for greater implacability of study. Moreover, the challenges and commercial implications are outlined and discussed for possible future perspectives. • The Fenton-like processes are described in the specific terms of homogeneous chemistry to heterogeneous chemistry • Role of bimetallic systems is widely studied to demonstrate the Fenton-like processes in the treatment of micro-pollutants • The mechanisms involved and the specific reaction routes are illustrated for nano-catalyst based Fenton-like processes • The challenges that remained in the application of Fenton-like processes in the unit operations are discussed