Green Nanotechnology for the Environment and Sustainable Development

Abstract

With the increase in the global human population, the adequate supply of resources has become limited. The development of pollution-free technologies for environmental remediation and clean energy supplies for the sustainable growth of human society is the need of the hour. Nanotechnology can have a substantial impact on developing ‘cleaner’ and ‘greener’ technologies with significant health and environmental benefits. The applications of nanotechnology are being explored for their potential to provide solutions to manage, mitigate, and clean-up air, water, and land pollution, as well as to improve the performance of conventional technologies used in environmental clean-up. Green nanotechnology is the branch of nanotechnology that envisages sustainability through various applications.The present chapter deals with the topics related to green nanotechnology for sustainable development. The applications of nanotechnology used to solve environmental issues by reducing the overall energy consumption during the synthesis and manufacturing process, the ability to recycle products after use, and to develop and use eco-friendly materials were summarized in this chapter. The sections have been divided according to the applications of green nanotechnology. The nano-manufacturing processes, green synthesis of nanomaterials, and the treatment of wastewater with reference to the principles of green chemistry have been discussed in detail. Currently, nanotechnology shows great promise to solve the sustainability issues, but it is impossible to overlook the adverse effects of nanomaterials on the environment and human health. In spite of the high performance and low cost of nano-remediation technology, advanced research is necessary to understand and prevent the potential adverse environmental impacts, i.e., ecosystem-wide impacts. The present chapter highlights the green chemistry principles influencing the life cycle of nano-products from design to disposal. The various applications and limitations of green nanotechnology have been discussed in the light of green chemistry principles for sustainability.