ABSTRACT
Nanomaterials have emerged as an outstanding class of materials. During the last decades, nanomaterial science has been an interdisciplinary area of research interest and development activity that has been explored worldwide. Nanomaterials have the potential to revolutionize the agriculture and non-agriculture sectors. Throughout the last decade, researchers have made great efforts to develop and apply various nanomaterials in science and industry. In addition, nanomaterials can be produced with remarkable optical, mechanical, magnetic, and catalytic properties that are substantially different from their bulk material. Nanomaterial properties can be altered by precisely controlling their shape, size, synthesis techniques, conditions, and appropriate functionalization. This chapter briefly discusses the history of nanomaterials and related terms. Biological, chemical, and physical methods, including top-down and bottom-up approaches, are discussed. In addition, the unique features and characterization techniques of nanomaterials are highlighted. Also, the chapter describes advances in inorganic-based, carbon-based, organic-based, and composite-based nanomaterials. Additionally, it illustrates novel research and developments in nanomaterials. It presents the fabrication and synthesis of self-assembly nanomaterials and critical challenges and troubleshooting problems associated with these techniques for scientists and engineers.
