Nano-Material Enhanced Rainwater Harvesting Surfaces
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.887Keywords:
rainwater, harvesting, rainwater harvesting, clean, water, nano-material, freshwater, scarcityAbstract
As freshwater scarcity intensifies globally, rainwater harvesting is gaining adoption as a decentralized, sustainable water source. However, conventional collection surfaces like rooftops can lose significant water volumes to splashing, runoff, and fouling. Recent advances in nanotechnology offer promising solutions through nano-engineered surfaces with specialized wetting, antibacterial, and self-cleaning properties to maximize rainwater recovery. This extensive review paper analyzes graphene, titanium dioxide, silver nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, hydrophobic metal oxides, diamond-like carbon coatings, and bionic nanostructured surfaces for enhanced rainwater harvesting. The improved hydrophobicity, scalable manufacturing feasibility, bactericidal activity, photocatalytic fouling resistance, controllable adhesion, switchable wettability, and biomimetic water transport achieved by nano-functionalization of collection materials are discussed in detail. Current challenges include developing durable coatings able to withstand outdoor stresses, scaling up fabrication, ensuring safety, and techno-economic viability. With prudent advancement, nano-enabled surfaces could significantly augment rainwater capture to provide decentralized low-cost access to clean water globally, contributing to water security.
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