Bionanotechnology and Bionanomaterials: Emerging Applications, Market, and Commercialization

To date, a wide range of biological fabrication strategies have been employed toward nanomaterial synthesis, with a mainstream objective of alleviating their toxicity levels toward humans and the environment. This represents the predominant factor, which has eventually facilitated the concenptualization and evolution of bionanomaterials to a great deal. Widely, such bionanomaterials may be classified into two types: either with a wholesome natural origin, or nanomaterials synthesized based on natural products or biomolecules. In general, natural bionanomaterials are synthesized by extracting natural materials, such as cellulose, chitin, and chitosan, from plants or living organisms. On the other hand, the nanomaterials, for instance, metal oxide, metal, polymeric, and carbon-based nanomaterials, synthesized based on biomolecules and natural products, could also be perceived as bionanomaterials. These bionanomaterials have found more widespread applications, compared to conventional nanomaterials, due to their reduced/no toxicity, biocompatibility, bioavailability, and bioreactivity. This chapter lays an outline of evolving applications of bionanomaterials, including energy production, conversion, storage, and electrical and electronic application properties. In addition, the market, regulation, and commercialization of bionanomaterials are also discussed.