Inorganic nanomaterials are used in many applications, ranging from sun cream to catalysis, as well as the latest innovations in nanomedicine and high density data storage. In recent years, we have understandably seen a large quantity of publication activity (including books) on the safety and toxicity of nanomaterials. However, there is a distinct lack of consolidated effort in addressing the sustainability of making nanomaterials. Current methods for nanomaterial synthesis are complex, energy demanding, multistep, and/or environmentally damaging, and hence clearly not sustainable. Green chemistry has great promise for future developments, particularly in sustainable designs for materials, processes, consumer goods, etc. However, to date, green chemistry has mostly focussed on the synthesis of fine chemicals and very rarely on nanomaterials.

New bioinspired/biomimetic approaches are emerging, which harness biological principles from biomineralisation to design green nanomaterials for the future. With reference to the significant body of research on understanding biomineralisation, Ozin et al state in their book, Nanochemistry: A Chemical Approach to Nanomaterials, that ‘In molecular terms, it is relatively easy to comprehend the early stages of self-organisation, molecular recognition, and nucleation that precede the morphogenesis of biomineral form. It is not obvious however, how complex shapes emerge and how, in turn, they can be copied synthetically’ [1]. In this book, the aim is to address this highly sought-after aspect of how to translate the understanding of biomineral synthesis into new green manufacturing methods. We cover areas from the discovery of new green synthesis methods all the way to considering their commercial manufacturing routes.

Who is the book for? The Royal Society of Chemistry and the American Chemical Society’s Green Chemistry Institute have both highlighted a ‘lack of a deep bench of scientists and engineers with experience in developing green nanotechnology’ [2] as a significant barrier to the development and commercialisation of green nanotechnology. This has motivated us to write this book. When any of us have been educated within a specific traditional discipline of science or engineering for our undergraduate degree, it can be very daunting to take a leap into multidisciplinary science and study within the realms of new disciplines outside our comfort zone, where the experimental approach, culture and even

Скачать книгу