Sustainable green nanomaterials for potential development in environmental industries

Abstract Environmental industries are expanding their activities due to the current demand for preservation and remediation of human impact on ecological fields. These industries focus on the production of necessary goods by following the green chemistry principles, such as using renewable sources and reducing hazardous chemical usage. Therefore, considering the growth and importance of nanotechnology and its application, the development of sustainable green nanomaterials have emerged as an attractive option for environmental protection combined with sustainable manufacturing. This chapter presents recent developments in sustainable green nanomaterials and a perspective on their manufacture in industries. The chapter has been divided according to the nature of nanomaterials and their ecological applications. The main nanomaterials are metallic, ceramic, and composites that can be applied directly or through membranes, catalysts, and sensors. These nanomaterials are commonly used in water, wastewater, air, and soil treatment, as well as in environmental monitoring and renewable energy sources. The full sustainable process, from design to disposal, characterizes these green nanomaterials, as has been discussed in detail in this chapter.