Introduction
Nanomaterials, with its characteristic dimension at the range of 1-100 nanometers (nm), are at the leading pillars in the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology. In recent years nanomaterials, specifically metal nanoparticles, have received particular interest in diverse field of applied science ranging from material science to biotechnology. Green nanotechnology indicates the use of nanotechnology to improve the environmental sustainability of phenomenon producing negative feedbacks. It also refers to the consumption if the products of nanotechnology to enhance sustainability and involves making of green nano-products and using them to support the sustainability of the environment.
It has two main objectives: producing nanomaterials that do not harm the environment and providing solutions to existing environmental problems.
It uses the priniciples of green chemistry and green engineering to make products without toxic constituents and renewable inputs wherever possible. It also means to make products which can replace the existing non-nano materials by being more compact and environment friendly.
Although widespread interest in nanomaterials is recent, the concept was actually introduced over 40 years back. With the advancement of science and technology, the morphology of this material, which contains metallic nanoparticles, has been understood. Because of extremely small size and high surface volume ratio of nanoparticles, the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles-containing materials are quite different to those of the bulk materials [1].
Applications
Nanoparticles of metallic origin have anomalous properties that won’t be noticed in their bulk form. Due to their huge potential and benefits to nanotechnology, they have numerous applications. Nanoparticles can transport pharmaceuticals to a specific target area. Different types of nanoparticles are used as drug delivery agent due to their nontoxicity and nonimmunogenicity[2]. For example, carbon nanotubes and inorganic wires exhibit unusual mechanical, electric, electronic, thermal and optical properties. Carbon nanotubes, magnetic iron nanoparticles and gold coated silicon dioxide nanoshells can transform electromagnetic energy to heat, causing a temperature increase which is dangerous to the cancer cells so it helps to destroy cancer cells[3].
Also with infrared radiation from external optical device supply at the exact location, these nanoparticles can target tumor cells at specified intervals, thus they are also used in cancer treatment therapy[4].
Conclusion
Green nanotechnology can proactively influence the design of nanomaterials and products by eliminating or minimizing pollution from the production of the nanomaterials, taking a life cycle approach to nanoproducts to estimate and mitigate where environmental impacts might occur in the product chain, designing toxicity out of nanomaterials and using nanomaterials to treat or remediate existing environmental problems.
References
[1.,2]Nath, D and Banerjee, P on Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacologyy,2013.
[3,4]Sastry RK, Rashmi H, Rao N on Nanotechnology for enhancing food security in India,2011.
By Ujjwal Kumar Tripathi
ujjwaltripathi2012@gmail.com