Title: Contours of Contemporary Research: Perspectives Across Disciplines
Chief Editors: Dr. S. Durga, Dr. S. Sathyapriya, and Dr. V. A. Jane
ISBN: 978-81-17787-25-0
Chapter: 6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59646/880/6
Authors: Tanushree Sompura, Hiren Jagani, Kaushal Purohit, Vikrant Baxi, Devansh Desai
Abstract
Green synthesis has emerged as a promising strategy for preparing functional nanomaterials while reducing dependence on hazardous reaagents and resource-intensive processing. Plant metabolites, microbial systems, agricultural residues, and renewable carbon feedstocks can act as reducing, complexing, templating, or stabilizing agents. This chapter critically examines the connections among biological feedstock, synthesis conditions, particle structure, interfacial chemistry, and performance in biomedical, environmental, and electrochemical energy-storage applications. It covers plant-, microorganism-, and biomass-assisted preparation of metallic, metal-oxide, carbonaceous, and hybrid nanomaterials, together with complementary structural, spectroscopic, surface, and electrochemical characterization. Representative literature examples illustrate how phytochemical coatings influence antimicrobial activity; how ZnO and related oxides support adsorption and light-driven pollutant transformation; and how bio-derived carbons and plant-mediated MnO₂ composites contribute to capacitive charge storage. Particular attention is given to the limitations of comparing performance data collected under different experimental protocols, including distinctions between dye decolorization and mineralization, cell-culture activity and clinical efficacy, and three-electrode capacitance and complete-device metrics. The chapter also evaluates reproducibility, biological safety, nanoparticle release, scale-up, recovery, and life-cycle impacts. An integrated framework is proposed in which greener synthesis claims are tested against measurable material quality, application-specific performance, and environmental burden across the complete product life cycle. The review concludes with opportunities in machine-learning-guided process optimization, waste valorization, hybrid architectures, and safe-and-sustainable-by-design manufacturing.
Keywords: Green synthesis; functional nanomaterials; plant extracts; biomedical applications; environmental remediation; supercapacitors; sustainable nanotechnology.