ABSTRACT
Engineered nanomaterials are of particular interest due to their increased surface area compared to their bulk counterpart. Nanoscale materials can be created by both the bottom-up molecular fabrication and top-down approaches. However, the method of synthesis is particularly important for controlling the properties at the nanoscale of the final product. Nanomaterials could be incidental or intentionally manufactured, therefore, carefully characterized nanomaterials help to explore the advanced application of the technology, as well as helping to determine compatibility and toxicity in the material. This chapter is based on the fundamental foundation of nanotechnology and discusses various approaches of material synthesis and characterization techniques. Further, critical check points of a nanomaterial’s life cycle, required for the environmental health and safety evaluation, are also discussed in a holistic manner. The comparative explanation, based on the recent developments, will certainly help to determine/explore the future applications of the technology, but this can also help policymakers to make decisions regarding the appropriate regulations for the nanotechnology-based product.
