Sustainable Nanotechnology

21 Environmentally Sustainable and Safe Production of Nanomedicines

Samson A. Adeyemi, Pradeep Kumar, Viness Pillay, and Yahya E. Choonara

Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

21.1 Introduction: Going Green – Advances in Nanomedicines

Advances in nanotechnology during the past decade have enabled scientists across the globe to invent techniques for the production and characterization of new materials on the nanoscale level such as nanoparticles, nanotubes, and nanolayers. Meanwhile, the design and production of these nanoscale materials having controlled characteristics remains a significant hurdle within nanoscience and nanotechnology. Various scientific experimentations to either develop nascent chemicals or create new physical methods to synthesis nanomaterials often raise the concern about the adverse impact on the environment. Some of the negative effects that emanate from the chemical techniques involved in the synthesis of nanomaterials include toxic solvents, which have the capacity to produce dangerous by‐products, and usually require high‐energy utilization. Most important is the constant dispute of the potential toxic nature of some of these nanomaterials.

This in essence has led to the renewed consciousness of the need to design and develop clean, safe, and environmentally friendly protocols ...