About the Book
Contemporary agriculture shares the important portion of global economy for any sought‐after growth, especially for its major contribution to human upliftment through poverty eradication, fast industrialization, financial change and investment, sustainable resource usage, and environmental management. The miniature aspect of nanotechnology controls major agricultural processes because of its diminutive dimensions. In addition, the use of nanotechnologies can be resonant obstruction, thanks to the many potential advantages such as enhancing the quality and safety of food, decreasing agricultural inputs, and enhancing soil absorption of nanoscale nutrients. This book will be immensely helpful to the students of plant biotechnology, agricultural sciences, and agricultural engineering students of both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in universities, colleges, and research institutes. The book will support researchers who work in the field of plant biotechnology and agricultural sciences. It is hoped this book will be another step towards the beneficial approach in plant biotechnology and setting of a new arena in shaping the new biotechniques towards the sustainable cause.
Key features:
1 Nanotechnological innovations in plant biology
2 Nanotechnology and transgenic via genome editing towards sustainable agricultural systems
3 Nanofertilizers and nanopesticides
4 Nanoparticle protection in plants.
1 Nanotechnology and Nanoparticles
CHAPTER MENU
1 Nanoparticles and Their Functions
2 Classification of NPs Carbon‐Based NPs Metal Nanoparticles Ceramic NPs Semiconductor NPs Polymeric NPs NPs Based on Lipids
3 Synthesis of Nanoparticles Top‐Down Synthesis Bottom‐Up Synthesis
4 NPs and Characterization Morphological Characterization Structural Characteristics Particle Size and Surface Area Characterization Optical Characterizations
5 Physicochemical Properties of NPs Mechanical and Optical Properties Magnetic Properties Mechanical Properties Thermal Properties
6 Functions of NPs Drugs and Medications Materials and Manufacturing Environment Electronics Energy Harvesting
1.1 Nanoparticles and Their Functions
Since the past century, nanotechnology has been an advanced research area. RP Feynman coined the term ‘nanotechnology’ during his famous speech [1]. Nanotechnology developed different types of nanoscale materials. A limited class of one‐dimensional materials <100 nm [2] are nanoparticles (NPs). Depending on the form [3], such materials may be 0D, 1D, 2D, or 3D. The importance of these materials showed that the physicochemical properties of a substance, e.g. the optical properties, can be influenced by size. The red wine, yellowish‐grey, black, and deep green are the distinctive colours of the 20 nm gold (Au), platinum (Pt), silver (Ag), and palladium (Pd) NPs. These NPs exhibit distinctive colours and properties of various sizes and shapes that can be used in bioimaging applications. [4]. Owing to differences in aspect ratio, nanoshell thickness, and Au concentration, the solution's colour varies. Changing each of the elements mentioned above affects the absorption characteristics of the NPs and is therefore observed in different absorption colours. Usually, NPs consist of three layers: (i) a layer‐functionalized surface with several tiny molecules, metal ions, surfactants, and polymers; (ii) a shell layer – a chemically separate core substance; and (iii) a centre – an integral part of the NP and typically refers to the NP itself [5]. Researchers gained immense interest in multidisciplinary fields because of these exceptional features. NPs may be used for the delivery of drugs [6], chemical and biological sensing [7], gas sensing [8], CO2 capture [9], and related uses [10].
1.2 Classification of NPs
NPs are commonly classified according to morphology, size, and chemical properties in different classes. NPs are classified according to physical and chemical characteristics as follows.
1.2.1 Carbon‐Based NPs
Two key NP groups based on carbon are fullerenes and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Fullerenes contain globular hollow cage nanomaterials, similar to allotropic carbon forms. Their electrical conductivity, high power, structure, electron affinity, and flexibility have created considerable commercial interest [11]. Pentagonal and hexagonal C‐ units were arranged in these materials while each carbon was hybridized. The illustration in Figure 1.1 shows some of the well‐known 7.114 and 7.648 nm C60 and C70 fullerenes. The long, tubular CNTs have a diameter of 1–2 nm [12]. This can be predicted as metallic or semiconducting based on their telicity diameter [13]. Single, double, or multiple walls may be rolling sheets labelled single‐walled nanotubes (SWNTs), double‐walled nanotubes (DWNTs), or multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), respectively. They are commonly synthesized by carbon precursor deposition, particularly atomic carbons, which are vaporized by a laser or electric arc through metal particles. Recently, they have been synthesized using the chemical vapour deposition (CVD) technique [14]. Because of their specific physical, chemical, and mechanical characteristics, these materials are widely used in industrial applications, not only in pristine form but also in nanocomposites such as fillers [15], active gas adsorbents for the remediation of the environment [16], and, in general, for various inorganic and organic catalysts [17].