ABSTRACT
Dendrimer-based hybrid nanomaterials have gained wide attention in recent years as novel materials for environmental applications. Dendritic polymers are hyper branched macromolecules with unique three-dimensional structures carrying a large number of reactive groups. Combined with functional nanostructure materials, the resulting nanohybrids have the potentials to be superior and more useful than traditional adsorbents. The goal of this chapter is to provide a concise review about the efforts devoted to the application of these novel materials in the removal of inorganic contaminants from aqueous media. The main strategies for dendrimer synthesis and their incorporation into several nanostructures are summarized. The relation between dendrimer structure and the adsorption of heavy metals, precious metals, and radioactive elements are critically reviewed, with emphasis in mechanistic studies.
