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Greener Synthesis of Nanomaterials: Risk Reduction Strategies and Environmental Applications
Citation:
VARMA, R. S. Greener Synthesis of Nanomaterials: Risk Reduction Strategies and Environmental Applications . Presented at EPA Science Forum, Washington, DC, May 20 - 22, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public.
Description:
A brief account of a greener preparation of nanoparticles which reduces or eliminates the use and generation of hazardous substances is presented. The utility of vitamins B1, B2, and C which can function both as reducing and capping agents, provides an extremely simple and greener method to synthesize the bulk quantities of metal nanoparticles in water or benign solvents without the need for large amounts of insoluble templates. The approach is ideally suited to study the toxicity of such ensuing nanometals. The eco-friendly generation of nanomaterials and their nanocomposite forms with a variety of renewable polymers via microwave-assisted protocols will be described. The strategy is extended to the formation of biodegradable carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) composite films that may find interesting application in remediation. The collaborative work on toxicity of nanomaterials and their environmental applications will be highlighted.