Organic- inorganic nanocomposite materials and nanostructured metal oxides have been used for water purification purposes. By immersing such materials in polluted water, pollutants are adsorbed and retained by the adsorbers. In particular, nanocomposite materials based on a silica backbone covalently connected through urea bridges with poly(oxyalkylene) chains (called Ureasils) are efficiently adsorbers of dyes from aqueous solution. Anionic, cationic as well as hydrophobic dyes are very efficiently adsorbed. Very impressive adsorbing capacity has been registered for anionic dyes bearing a sulfonate group.

In the case of mesoporous oxides, transparent nanocrystalline TiO₂ films were used as dye adsorbers. Their regeneration has been achieved by the photocatalytic treatment of the films under UV and visible light. Possibility of selective sensing of dyes and heavy metal ions adsorbed by TiO₂ nanostructured films from polluted water has also been examined by monitoring the changes of the electrical conductivity of the films.

Acknowledgement: The authors thank the European Social Fund (ESF), Operational Program for Educational and Vocational Training II (EPEAEK II), and particularly the Program PYTHAGORAS II, for funding the above work.

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