2.6. Multifunctional devices
The advance in functional nanomaterials and their convergence
with conventional technologies bring opportunities in
designing a new family of nanotechnology enabled multifunctional
water treatment devices which are capable of
performing multiple tasks in one device. Such multifunctional
systems can enhance the overall performance and
avoid excessive redundancy, miniaturizing the footprint.
Therefore, the multifunctional concept is especially advantageous
in decentralized and small-scale applications.
Different functional nanomaterials can be integrated onto a
common platform based on treatment requirement. Beside
magnetic nanoparticles, membranes are a good and extensively
studied platform to construct multifunctional devices.
Notably, electrospun nanofibers have drawn much attention
as an excellent nanomaterial carrier. Owing to the high performance,
small footprint, and modular design of nanotechnology
enabled devices, it is envisaged that different
functionalities can be assembled in layers of a cartridges or as
modules arranged in series, allowing optimization/regeneration
of each functionality separately (Qu et al., 2013). Thecapacity and functionality of such nanotechnology enabled
system can be easily manipulated by plugging in or pulling
out modules.