Questioning Established Protocols for New and More Sustainable Syntheses of Nanomaterials

Advances in nanotechnologies rely on bulletproof synthetic protocols of nanomaterials. Bringing breakthroughs from fundamental nanoscience to real-life solutions requires cost-efficient and scalable strategies. Sustainability is not only driving modern societies but also increasingly shaping modern research, opening a range of opportunities as well as calling for new mindsets. This perspective suggests how to navigate and address in a timely manner all of these challenges at the same time by questioning established synthetic protocols of nanomaterials. In particular, the development of so-called surfactant-free colloidal syntheses of metal nanoparticles is a promising area of research, opening seldom explored avenues to comply with the principle of green and sustainable chemistry, to develop a new understanding of nanoparticle formation, and ultimately lead to improved nanomaterials and technologies.