Disclosed herein is a nanostructured material comprising defective carbon nanotubes chosen from impregnated, functionalized, doped, charged, coated, and irradiated nanotubes, and combinations thereof. The defective carbon nanotubes contain a defect which is a lattice distortion in at least one carbon ring. Also disclosed is a method of purifying fluids, such as liquids, including water, as well as gases, including the air using, this nanostructured material.