A paradigm of microbe-mediated green nano-semiconductors and nano-metals

Nanotechnology. 2024 Dec 16;36(8). doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/ad9aaf.

Abstract

Semiconducting and metallic nanomaterials are essential building blocks for developing modern-age technologies, and their demand is expanding exponentially with a growing population. However, their processing impacts the ecosystem and requires urgently sustainable solutions. This perspective underlines the emergence of microbe-mediated (bacteria, yeast, fungi, microalgae, viruses, cyanobacteria) green nanomaterials, including metal-based, carbon-based, organic and hybrid nanomaterials, with technical challenges of scalability, stability and cytotoxicity restricting their transition from lab-to-market. Besides, it discusses alternative solutions by integrating digital-age technologies like artificial intelligence to establish these green nano-semiconductors/metals for multidimensional applications and subsidizing the UN's sustainable development goals and one health management.

Keywords: nanotechnology; one health; semiconductors; sustainable development goals; therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Bacteria / metabolism
  • Fungi
  • Green Chemistry Technology / methods
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Metals / chemistry
  • Microalgae
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Nanotechnology / methods
  • Semiconductors*
  • Viruses

Substances

  • Metals