Green synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles and their future applications in biomedicine, agriculture and industry

Abstract

In the green synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) chemical reagents are replaced with biological extracts. Conventional methods used in the manufacture of TiO2 NPs raise environmental issues as they use harmful chemicals and spend a high amount of energy. At a laboratory scale, biologically synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles (bio-TiO2 NPs) proved to be a suitable alternative to the chemically synthesized ones. The biological activity of NPs is mainly determined by their shape, size and crystalline structure. However, these characteristics are hardly controlled when natural sources of reagents are used and so bio-TiO2 NPs did not reach an advanced technology readiness level. In this paper, we reviewed the majority of the available studies referring to bio-TiO2 NPs. Our aim is to briefly present the efficiency of biochemicals from different living organisms in producing TiO2 nano-scale particles as well as the benefits bio-TiO2 NPs would bring to the biomedical, agricultural and industrial sectors. Finally, based on the available data we discuss the sustainability of bio-TiO2 NPs referring to their possible environmental, economic and societal impacts.

New Green Approaches in Nanoparticles Synthesis: An Overview

“…The diversity of plant extracts that have been involved so far in NP synthesis is remarkably high. For example, extracts from more than 30 different plant species have been used only for the synthesis of titanium dioxide NPs [ 125 ]. It seems that medicinal plants represent a priority, as their biomolecules already possess healing properties that may be transferred to NPs through the capping process.…”