Observing the unique properties of matter at nanoscale, nanoscience provides innovative solutions for energy, environment, agriculture, and manufacturing, and addresses the critical challenges of sustainability. This chapter highlights nanotechnology's pivotal role in advancing sustainability across diverse domains including medicine, consumer products, and energy optimization. Ethical considerations, potential benefits, and future prospects are thoroughly examined, providing a comprehensive overview of nanotechnology's transformative capacity. The rational design of nanomaterials achieves exceptionally high surface areas, offering strategic enhancements. In the era of electronics, nanotechnology accelerates devices, enhances memory chip density, and reduces power consumption, shaping a more sustainable technological future. The chapter serves as a valuable reference for research community, offering insights into applications of nanotechnology in sustainable development circular economy, and aims to deepen understanding and exploration of nanotechnology's potential to drive positive change.
TopIntroduction
The rapid advancement of technology has led to an increased demand for nanomaterials, particularly in the fields of electronics, medicine, energy conservation, and agriculture. Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale, typically between 1 and 100 nanometers. This means that nanomaterials are about 100,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. It is a rapidly evolving field capable to transform industries by utilizing the unique properties of materials at the nanoscale. Harnessing matter at the nanoscale opens up a realm of possibilities, offering enhanced efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability. The enlarged surface area of nanoscale materials fosters higher reactivity, enabling more efficient processes and their reduced size translates to lower energy consumption, promoting sustainability. Additionally, their small stature allows nanoscale materials to penetrate areas previously inaccessible, proving advantageous in the medical field, where human anatomy poses limitations for treatment. (Recordati et al., 2016) (Chen et al., 2019) Nanomaterials, with their unique properties, exceptional strength, conductivity, and reactivity have led to significant advancements in technology and preceded for smaller, lighter, and more efficient devices, enabled the development of new medical treatments, targeted drug delivery systems, and environmentally friendly products (Chis et al., 2020), semiconductor technology, material science, electronics, optics, medicine, plastics, and the textile industry. (Iravani et al., 2023) Thus, the technology is rapidly transforming industries and holds immense promise for shaping the future of technology and society. (Kiessling et al., 2010) (Jamaluddin et al., 2021) As nanotechnology continues to evolve, it is poised to revolutionise numerous aspects of human life. Its potential impact is vast and transformative, making it one of the most exciting and promising fields of scientific research today. (Adriana et al., 2020) (Juanola-Feliu et al., 2014)
In the dynamic landscape of modern science and technology, nanomaterials emerge as versatile powerhouses, wielding unparalleled influence across magnetic, electrical, mechanical, and catalytic realms. Nanotechnology, with its multifaceted impact, stands as an irreplaceable force driving innovation in critical sectors ranging from transportation, energy, and agriculture to healthcare, information, and communication as shown in figure 1. (“Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterials,” 2012) This transformative influence not only sparks new developments but also propels sustainability into the forefront of progress. (Chee et al. 2022)
Figure 1. Applications of nanomaterials in versatile domains
Nanomaterials have unique optical properties that can be utilized to develop novel materials and coatings that can protect against UV radiation and prevent photodegradation of various substances. (Hussain et al., 2022) By incorporating nanoparticles into materials such as paints, plastics, and textiles, we can create products that have enhanced durability and resistance to UV-induced degradation.(Rani et al., 2022) Another area of nanotechnology application is in the field of food packaging. Nanomaterials can be used to develop smart and active packaging materials that can extend the shelf life of food products. (González-Pedroza et al., 2023) For example, nanoparticles can be incorporated into packaging films. Furthermore, nanocellulose composites have emerged as promising chemo/biosensing agents and polymeric matrices in the field of nanotechnology. (X. Yang & Wang, 2022) These nanocellulose composites offer a range of applications, including biosensors and medical diagnostics. Nanocellulose, derived from renewable sources, exhibits exceptional mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, making it an ideal candidate for use in medical applications. (Thakur et al., 2021) (X. Wu et al., 2023) In the realm of biosensors, nanocellulose composites have shown great potential for detecting various biological substances.