Chapter 10. New Frontiers in Metallic Bio-nanoparticle Catalysis and Green Products from Remediation Processes

Functional nanomaterials are employed in a wide range of technological and industrial applications and searches for new and unique particles and production methods are expanding. Microbes now serve as widely available and untapped biotechnological resources due to their abilities to precipitate nanomaterials in systems utilising waste products and process streams as raw materials. Of particular appeal is the potential to offer a green biosynthesis approach to nanomaterial production (compared to traditional processing methods) for precious metal (palladium and gold) nanocatalysts, copper, selenium, tellurium and sulphur-based semi-conductors and quantum dots and magnetic iron-based nanomaterials. This chapter will focus on Fe and precious metal bionanomaterials, along with magnetic nanomaterials, catalysts and quantum dots. It will cover new opportunities built around tandem materials where synthetic biological approaches can be used to extend functionality by co-expressing bionanomaterials and enzymes (e.g. biocatalysts). Wherever possible, the potential use of waste substrates to add financial and economic incentives to drive product development within a circular economy is emphasised.