Toward Green Nano

摘要: Summary Commercial and research interest in nanotechnology has exploded recent years, with nearly US$9 billion investment from public private sources 2005. While the list of potential applications for nanotechnologies continues to grow, there is increasing pressure governments researchers alike understand implications this new class materials. The emerging field green nano applies chemistry engineering principles synthesis nanomaterials. Here we outline several strategies development review past policy activities understanding nanotechnology's environmental implications. By means metric E-factor, an analysis undertaken traditional syntheses specific nanomaterials, including carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, metal nanoparticles. It was found that E-factors these production processes vary over orders magnitude, making it difficult comment generally about resource use efficiencies nanomaterials production. For gold nanoparticles specifically, six different methods are range 102 105, demonstrating greener routes possible benefits can begin be quantified. Expanding include life-cycle stages upstream downstream incorporate health effects encouraged, though significant data gaps exist.