ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the fabrication of various ion-exchange nanocomposites using nanomaterials of different dimensions, their physicochemical attributes, the advantages, and the associated challenges. Electrodialysis is a process that uses semipermeable membranes to transport ions under the influence of an electric potential. It has a wide range of applications, including desalination of seawater, wastewater treatment, food processing, agriculture, artificial kidneys, glycerin purification. Ion-exchange membranes are the prime components of these processes, which restrict the transport of co-ions and allow the passage of counterions. Nanomaterials are often categorized as 0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D ones from a broader perspective. Zero-dimensional nanomaterials represent the class where all the three dimensions of the material are in the nanoregime. Metal nanoparticles, nanoclusters, and quantum dots are the representative members of this category. The most widely used 1D nanomaterials are carbon nanotubes. Water desalination is a prime concern in the context of water recovery and treatment processes.
