Sustainable and green synthesis of carbon nanomaterials: A review

Carbon-based nanomaterials are touted as a very versatile with very wide range of applications from pharmaceutical and biomedical industry in the form of carbon quantum dots to the automobile and aviation industry in the form of nanofiber additives. A lot of reaction technologies have been developed for synthesizing these nanomaterials. In the recent past, focus has been shifted in developing eco-friendly green pathways for their fabrication. One of the best ways to do it is by researching upon a bio-based, renewable, sustainable or carbon containing waste precursor for their synthesis. This work outlines the advancement on the modern trends of the ecofriendly, green approaches and techniques of carbon-based nanomaterials. The following work is a comprehensive review of the experimental outcome of the recent advanced and novel trends, the green pathways, various scale-up techniques and modern methodologies for preparation of carbon-based nanoparticles in a cost effective and environmentally friendly manner. Among various reported bio-based precursors, wool seems to have a promising place with 22.5% quantum yield of carbon nanomaterial and the increasing research on various bio-based precursors is self-evidence of its capability to provide a sustainable source.