Natural Biogenic Templates for Nanomaterial Synthesis: Advances, Applications, and Environmental Perspectives

This review explores the use of biogenic templates in nanomaterial synthesis, emphasizing their role in promoting environmentally sustainable nanotechnology. It categorizes various biogenic templates, including agricultural byproducts and microorganisms, stating their suitability for forming nanostructures due to their distinct properties. A comparative analysis of monostep and multistep synthesis methods is provided, focusing on their efficiencies and outcomes when using biogenic templates. Further, this review also highlights how these templates can generate complex nanostructures and hybrid materials with enhanced functionalities. Applications of biogenic templates across biomedicine, biotechnology, environmental science, and energy are discussed along with their utilization scope in agriculture and electronics. Benefits from nanostructures from biotemplates include sustainability, low cost, and reduced toxicity, but challenges like scalability, reproducibility, and regulatory compliance persist. Future research focuses on improving synthesis techniques, discovering new templates, and evaluating environmental and cytotoxic impacts, especially for biomedical uses. In conclusion, the review reaffirms the potential of biogenic templates in sustainable nanomaterial synthesis while highlighting the ongoing challenges that need to be addressed for broader adoption.