Carbon Nanostructures Functionalization for Air Filtration and Purification

Air pollution poses a great risk to human health and the environment, making it a challenge in modern society. Identifying and eliminating air pollutants are fundamental steps toward protecting the environment. In recent years, functionalized carbon nanostructures (CNs) have gained considerable attention for use in air filtration and purification. CNs have become integral to environmentally friendly air purification techniques owing to their low cost, sustainability, and efficiency. This comprehensive review highlights the important role of functionalized CNs in advancing environmental remediation efforts. Various CNs, including carbon dots, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxide, fullerenes, and carbon nitrides, have been effectively integrated into numerous remediation systems with improved efficiency. Key factors contributing to the superior performance of CNs include their nanosize, large surface area, biodegradability, and chemical modification. Thus, this chapter focuses on the advancement of functionalized CNs for the air filtration and purification of a wide range of pollutants. Apart from highlighting the advantages of CNs, this review discusses the toxicity of CNs to the natural environment and human health. Finally, an overview of the promising commercial applications of CNs in air filtration and purification for a sustainable future is presented.