Green Nanotechnology: Efficient Solutions for a Sustainable Future

Authors

Author Biographies

  • Ileana S. Cabrera-Blanco, Tecnológico de Monterrey

    Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Nuevo León, México

  • Jorge L. Cholula-Díaz, Tecnológico de Monterrey

    Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Nuevo León, México

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18800/quimica.202602.001

Keywords:

green nanotechnology, nanomaterials, sustainability

Abstract

Green nanotechnology has emerged in response to the need to develop advanced, more efficient materials through safer, sustainable processes, thereby reducing the use of hazardous reagents, waste generation, and environmental impact throughout their life cycle. This article illustrates its applications in diverse fields, including biomedicine, energy, agriculture, and environmental remediation. These applications highlight the potential of nanotechnology to contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable solutions, which, although they still face challenges related to toxicity assessment, scale-up, and production costs, bring us closer to a more prosperous and environmentally friendly future.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

(1) Tsu, R.; Zhang, Q. Nanostructured Electronics and Optoelectronics Materials. En Nanostructured Materials: Processing, Properties and Applications; Koch, C. C, Ed.; William Andrew Publishing: Norwich, NY, 2006; 677-719.

(2) Nath, D.; Banerjee, P. Green Nanotechnology – A New Hope for Medical Biology. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 2013, 36 (3), 997–1014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2013.09.002.

(3) Medina-Cruz, D.; Mostafavi, E.; Vernet-Crua, A.; Cheng, J.; Shah, V.; Cholula-Diaz, J. L.; Guisbiers, G.; Tao, J.; García-Martín, J. M.; Webster, T. J. Green Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Osteogenic Disorders. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery 2020, 17 (3), 341–356. https://doi.org/10.1080/17425247.2020.1727441.

(4) Medina Cruz, D.; Mostafavi, E.; Vernet-Crua, A.; Barabadi, H.; Shah, V.; Cholula-Díaz, J. L.; Guisbiers, G.; Webster, T. J. Green Nanotechnology-Based Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications: A Review. J. Phys. Mater. 2020, 3 (3), 034005. https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7639/ab8186.

(5) Cruz, D. M.; Mostafavi, E.; Vernet-Crua, A.; O’Connell, C. P.; Barabadi, H.; Mobini, S.; Cholula-Díaz, J. L.; Guisbiers, G.; García-Martín, J. M.; Webster, T. J. Green Nanotechnology and Nanoselenium for Biomedical Applications. In Nanomedicine; Elsevier, 2023; pp 339–380. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818627-5.00001-4.

(6) Larrañaga-Tapia, M.; Betancourt-Tovar, B.; Videa, M.; Antunes-Ricardo, M.; Cholula-Díaz, J. L. Green Synthesis Trends and Potential Applications of Bimetallic Nanoparticles towards the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Nanoscale Adv. 2024, 6 (1), 51–71. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NA00761H.

(7) Benko, A.; Truong, L. B.; Medina-Cruz, D.; Mostafavi, E.; Cholula-Díaz, J. L.; Webster, T. J. Green Nanotechnology in Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering. In Tissue Engineering; Elsevier, 2022; pp 237–281. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824064-9.00012-5.

(8) Anastas, P. T.; Warner, J. C. Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice; Oxford University PressOxford, 2000. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198506980.001.0001.

(9) Hutchison, J. E. Greener Nanoscience: A Proactive Approach to Advancing Applications and Reducing Implications of Nanotechnology. ACS Nano 2008, 2 (3), 395–402. https://doi.org/10.1021/nn800131j.

(10) Iravani, S. Green Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Using Plants. Green Chem. 2011, 13 (10), 2638. https://doi.org/10.1039/c1gc15386b.

(11) Das, R. K.; Brar, S. K. Plant Mediated Green Synthesis: Modified Approaches. Nanoscale 2013, 5 (21), 10155. https://doi.org/10.1039/c3nr02548a.

(12) Kharissova, O. V.; Dias, H. V. R.; Kharisov, B. I.; Pérez, B. O.; Pérez, V. M. J. The Greener Synthesis of Nanoparticles. Trends in Biotechnology 2013, 31 (4), 240–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2013.01.003.

(13) Lomelí-Marroquín, D.; Medina Cruz, D.; Nieto-Argüello, A.; Vernet Crua, A.; Chen, J.; Torres-Castro, A.; Webster, T. J.; Cholula-Díaz, J. L. Starch-Mediated Synthesis of Mono- and Bimetallic Silver/Gold Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial and Anticancer Agents. IJN 2019, Volume 14, 2171–2190. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S192757.

(14) Sintubin, L.; De Windt, W.; Dick, J.; Mast, J.; Van Der Ha, D.; Verstraete, W.; Boon, N. Lactic Acid Bacteria as Reducing and Capping Agent for the Fast and Efficient Production of Silver Nanoparticles. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2009, 84 (4), 741–749. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-009-2032-6.

(15) Mukherjee, P.; Senapati, S.; Mandal, D.; Ahmad, A.; Khan, M. I.; Kumar, R.; Sastry, M. Extracellular Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles by the Fungus Fusarium Oxysporum. ChemBioChem 2002, 3 (5), 461. https://doi.org/10.1002/1439-7633(20020503)3:5%3C461::AID-CBIC461%3E3.0.CO;2-X.

(16) Agnihotri, M.; Joshi, S.; Kumar, A. R.; Zinjarde, S.; Kulkarni, S. Biosynthesis of Gold Nanoparticles by the Tropical Marine Yeast Yarrowia Lipolytica NCIM 3589. Materials Letters 2009, 63 (15), 1231–1234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2009.02.042.

(17) Dhingra, R.; Naidu, S.; Upreti, G.; Sawhney, R. Sustainable Nanotechnology: Through Green Methods and Life-Cycle Thinking. Sustainability 2010, 2 (10), 3323–3338. https://doi.org/10.3390/su2103323.

(18) Khoobchandani, M.; Katti, K. K.; Karikachery, A. R.; Thipe, V. C.; Srisrimal, D.; Dhurvas Mohandoss, D. K.; Darshakumar, R. D.; Joshi, C. M.; Katti, K. V. New Approaches in Breast Cancer Therapy Through Green Nanotechnology and Nano-Ayurvedic Medicine – Pre-Clinical and Pilot Human Clinical Investigations. IJN 2020, Volume 15, 181–197. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S219042.

(19) Martínez-Sanmiguel, J. J.; Zarate-Triviño, D.; García-García, M. P.; García-Martín, J. M.; Mayoral, Á.; Huttel, Y.; Martínez, L.; Cholula-Díaz, J. L. Antitumor Activity of Bimetallic Silver/Gold Nanoparticles against MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells. RSC Adv. 2024, 14 (53), 39102–39111. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RA06227B.

(20) Jahangirian, H.; Ghasemian Lemraski, E.; Webster, T. J.; Rafiee-Moghaddam, R.; Abdollahi, Y. A Review of Drug Delivery Systems Based on Nanotechnology and Green Chemistry: Green Nanomedicine. IJN 2017, Volume 12, 2957–2978. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S127683.

(21) El-Esawy, M. A.; Elsharkawy, S.; Youssif, M. M.; Raafat Tartour, A.; Ramadan Elsharkawy, F.; Ahmed Saad Badr, S.; Elghoraby, A. M.; Elsayed Gad, M.; Etman, A. E.; Essam Mahmoud, F.; Emam, H. A.; alzahraa A. Hasan, F.; Arafa, M. M.; Emad Mohamed, A.; Elsteha, S. R.; Zabinski, P. Recent Advances of Green Nanoparticles in Energy and Biological Applications. Materials Today 2024, 72, 117–139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mattod.2023.12.001.

(22) Akinnawo, S. O. A Review on the Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles for Energy Conversion and Storage. Kuwait Journal of Science 2025, 52 (3), 100434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100434.

(23) Mohammed, H.; Mia, M. F.; Wiggins, J.; Desai, S. Nanomaterials for Energy Storage Systems—A Review. Molecules 2025, 30 (4), 88L3. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30040883.

(24) Nzereogu, P. U.; Oyesanya, A.; Ogba, S. N.; Ayanwunmi, S. O.; Sobajo, M. S.; Chimsunum, V. C.; Ayanwunmi, V. O.; Amoo, M. O.; Adefemi, O. T.; Chukwudi, C. C. Solid-State Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolytes: Revolutionizing Energy Density and Safety. Hybrid Advances 2025, 8, 100339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hybadv.2024.100339.

(25) Raveendran, A.; Chandran, M.; Dhanusuraman, R. A Comprehensive Review on the Electrochemical Parameters and Recent Material Development of Electrochemical Water Splitting Electrocatalysts. RSC Adv. 2023, 13 (6), 3843–3876. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2RA07642J.

(26) Li, L.; Li, X.; Sun, Y.; Xie, Y. Rational Design of Electrocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction for a Zero-Carbon Network. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2022, 51 (4), 1234–1252. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CS00893E.

(27) Mondéjar-López, M.; García-Simarro, M. P.; Navarro-Simarro, P.; Gómez-Gómez, L.; Ahrazem, O.; Niza, E. A Review on the Encapsulation of “Eco-Friendly” Compounds in Natural Polymer-Based Nanoparticles as next Generation Nano-Agrochemicals for Sustainable Agriculture and Crop Management. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2024, 280, 136030. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136030.

(28) Mashauri, R.; Li, K.; Li, S.; Shuai, L.; Song, L.; Chen, X.; Wang, L. Review of Recent Advances in Pesticide Encapsulation Using Naturally-Occurring Carbohydrate-Based Delivery Systems: Environmental and Economic Benefits. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2025, 332, 148705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.148705.

(29) Soussi, A.; Zero, E.; Sacile, R.; Trinchero, D.; Fossa, M. Smart Sensors and Smart Data for Precision Agriculture: A Review. Sensors 2024, 24 (8), 2647. https://doi.org/10.3390/s24082647.

(30) Chaturvedi, A.; Tripathi, D.; Ranjan, R. Nano-Enabled Biosensors in Early Detection of Plant Diseases. Front. Nanotechnol. 2025, 7, 1545792. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnano.2025.1545792.

(31) Lorenzo-Villegas, D. L.; Gohil, N. V.; Lamo, P.; Gurajala, S.; Bagiu, I. C.; Vulcanescu, D. D.; Horhat, F. G.; Sorop, V. B.; Diaconu, M.; Sorop, M. I.; Oprisoni, A.; Horhat, R. M.; Susan, M.; MohanaSundaram, A. Innovative Biosensing Approaches for Swift Identification of Candida Species, Intrusive Pathogenic Organisms. Life 2023, 13 (10), 2099. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13102099.

(32) Ananias Reis, D.; Caon, N. B.; Giuliana, V.; Alexandre Luis, P.; Rosane Nora, C.; João Victor, N.; De Oliveira, I. R. W. Z. Electrochemical Biosensor Based on Gherkin ( Cucumis Anguria ) Peroxidase Immobilized on Chitosan‐Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Phenolic Compounds Detection. Electroanalysis 2025, 37 (1), e202400251. https://doi.org/10.1002/elan.202400251.

(33) Choudhary, M. K.; Agrawal, R.; Kumar, R.; Singh, P.; Gupta, B. R. K.; Singh, K. P. Detection of Cadmium-Resistant Rhizobacteria using Piezoelectric Nanobiosensor. Int. J. Nanosci. 2010, 09 (05), 461–469. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219581X10007034.

(34) Cruz, A. F. D.; Norena, N.; Kaushik, A.; Bhansali, S. A Low-Cost Miniaturized Potentiostat for Point-of-Care Diagnosis. Biosensors and Bioelectronics 2014, 62, 249–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2014.06.053.

(35) Zhai, Z.; Leng, B.; Yang, N.; Yang, B.; Liu, L.; Huang, N.; Jiang, X. Rational Construction of 3D‐Networked Carbon Nanowalls/Diamond Supporting CuO Architecture for High‐Performance Electrochemical Biosensors. Small 2019, 15 (48), 1901527. https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.201901527.

(36) Talari, F. F.; Bozorg, A.; Faridbod, F.; Vossoughi, M. A Novel Sensitive Aptamer-Based Nanosensor Using rGQDs and MWCNTs for Rapid Detection of Diazinon Pesticide. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 2021, 9 (1), 104878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2020.104878.

(37) Rong, Y.; Li, H.; Ouyang, Q.; Ali, S.; Chen, Q. Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Diazinon in Food Based on the FRET between Rare-Earth Doped Upconversion Nanoparticles and Graphene Oxide. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy 2020, 239, 118500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2020.118500.

(38) Zakir, O.; Ait-Karra, A.; Khardazi, S.; Idouhli, R.; Khadiri, M. E.; Dikici, B.; Aboulaich, A.; Outzourhit, A.; Abouelfida, A. Recent Progress in Nanomaterials for Water Treatment: A Comprehensive Review of Adsorption, Photocatalytic, and Antibacterial Applications. Journal of Water Process Engineering 2025, 72, 107566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107566.

(39) Hussein, E. B.; Rasheed, F. A.; Mohammed, A. S.; Kayani, K. F. Emerging Nanotechnology Approaches for Sustainable Water Treatment and Heavy Metals Removal: A Comprehensive Review. RSC Adv. 2025, 15 (48), 41061–41107. https://doi.org/10.1039/D5RA06914A.

(40) Asghar, N.; Hussain, A.; Nguyen, D. A.; Ali, S.; Hussain, I.; Junejo, A.; Ali, A. Advancement in Nanomaterials for Environmental Pollutants Remediation: A Systematic Review on Bibliometrics Analysis, Material Types, Synthesis Pathways, and Related Mechanisms. J Nanobiotechnol 2024, 22 (1), 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-023-02151-3.

(41) Lu, X. Photocatalytic Nanomaterials for Environmental Purification. Catalysts 2025, 16 (1), 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16010013.

(42) Calles García, M; Martínez-Hernández, H. D.; Rosales, M.; Jiménez-Ruiz, M; Martins, P. M.; Porro, J. M.; Lanceros-Mendez, S.; Petrenko, V.; de Fernández de Luis, R. Zirconium(IV)–Succimer Metal–Organic Framework Functionalized PVDF–HFP Membranes for Heavy-Metals Capture. Chemistry – A European Journal 2026, 32 (22), e02811. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202502811.

Downloads

Published

2026-10-12

How to Cite

Cabrera-Blanco, I. S., & Cholula-Díaz, J. L. (2026). Green Nanotechnology: Efficient Solutions for a Sustainable Future. Revista de Química, 40(2), 2-9. https://doi.org/10.18800/quimica.202602.001