Title: Green approaches for nanoparticle synthesis: emerging trends
Abstract: Nanotechnology has gained increasing attention in the modern world. It deals with submicroscopic materials referred to as nanoparticles (NPs) of size ranging between 1–100 nm. The primary objective of nanotechnology is to modify the size and structure of NPs for their improved utility. Numerous approaches have been established for the synthesis of NPs including chemical, physical, photochemical, and biological methods. Methodologies based on physical and chemical strategies have their own limitations, such as the use of toxic substances, toxic by-product formation, and high energy requirement. The biological route for Ns synthesis has proven to be more efficient in being cost-effective and eco-friendly. The bio-derived method overcomes the limitations of physical and chemical approaches and is a greener route as well as the base for novel research applications. Over the past several years, plants, algae, and microorganisms including fungi, bacteria, and viruses already have served as nanofactories in the synthesis of NPs. Biologically synthesized NPs have shown enormous applications in the clinical field, and throughout biofuel industries. Nanotechnology also has played an important role in biofuel industries via numerous renewal energy productions. It also has been demonstrated successfully to deal with issues related to climate change.