Nanomaterials and Sustainability

Abstract

Nanostructuring adds a tremendous degree of tunability to the optical, electronic, magnetic, tribological, and chemical properties of matter. As a result, nanostructured materials already play major roles in the many technologies and industries that provide the comfort and convenience of our everyday lives. Although there are examples of nanostructured materials that currently enhance sustainable technologies, such as for batteries and electrolyzers, the potential impact of nanoscale materials on sustainability has likely not nearly been realized when one considers that the nanostructure–property–composition exploration phase space is almost infinite. We can find inspiration from nature, which builds and assembles nanostructured materials into hierarchical biological structures to perform the enormously complex functions of life, all the while doing so with a relatively small set of elements that are sustainably sourced. This contrasts with current technology, where performance demands often require a greater and greater diversity of elements from the periodic table, some of which are very challenging to be sustainably sourced or recycled.