Green Nanomaterials: A Sustainable Perspective

Nanotechnology is the most innovative and versatile scientific discipline of the twenty-first century. Applications of nanotechnology crossed scientific frontiers from medicine to electronics, to modern manufacturing. Likewise, it has the potential and vision to significantly modify modern lifestyles, society and whole global economics. However, most of the materials and methods presently employed in this technology rely on nonrenewable resources as well as produce hazardous wastes. Techniques of green chemistry and green technology can play a vital and decisive role in deciding the future of nanoscience and nanotechnology applications. Natural materials to nanomaterials and design of naturally benign synthetic processes have been widely investigated, whereas most of the green nanomaterials are now routinely used from the laboratory to commercial scale, but they are also facing substantial challenges. This chapter reviews the most recent developments and challenges during applications of green nanomaterials. Green chemistry, green nanotechnology and green engineering are the ultimate needs of civilization today. In this chapter, the authors elucidate on the vision of the science of sustainability and its interface with green nanotechnology and green nanomaterials applications. This well-researched treatise will surely open up new knowledge dimensions in the domains of green nanomaterials, nanoscience, nanotechnology and green chemistry in decades to come.