3 Synthetic nanomaterials: fabrication, development, and characterization

The present era is considered as the nanotech age and over the last two decades considerable growth in the field of synthetic nanomaterials has happened. The demand for nanomaterials has improved extensively in a variety of industries, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, energy, defense, agriculture, food, and sanitation because of their tunable, physical, chemical, and biological properties compared to their bulk counterparts. Synthetic nanomaterials are classified based on their size, shape, composition, origin, and toxicity. Due to the increasing utility and industrial applications of nanomaterials, it has become important to study their fabrication, recent developments, advanced characterization techniques, and sustainability. Therefore, researchers and technocrats must collaborate to fabricate better and nontoxic nanomaterials that can diminish negative impacts of nanotechnology. In the present chapter, detailed discussions on the fabrication and characterization techniques along with recent developments in the field of synthetic nanomaterials has been explored. Further, categorization of synthetic nanomaterials and their current scenario have been discussed to provide a basis to researchers for developing new combinations of synthetic nanomaterials. The chapter concludes with a summary, future perspectives of synthetic nanomaterials, current issues and their potential solutions, and future outlook.