Life Cycle Assessment of Green Synthesis of TiO2 Nanoparticles vs. Chemical Synthesis

One of the challenges of our time is replacing the existing fossil fuel-based economy with a green one in the framework of developing a sustainable society. The biological synthesis of nanoparticles from plant extracts is currently under study for developing environmentally compatible nanoparticle synthesis and avoiding adverse effects. The environmental impacts of emissions, energy requirements, and energy losses are calculated to comparatively evaluate the effects of the traditional process, in addition to any new one, in obtaining TiO2 nanoparticles from the life cycle point of view. The two methods are syntheses via green chemistry (using an aqueous extract of Cymbopogon citratus) and via the chloride route, which are some of the most used methods for the synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles owing to them having the most advanced production processes. The life cycle analysis was carried out using OpenLCA software, which showed that the production of chemically synthesized TiO2 contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and respiratory effects caused by inorganic substances. On the other hand, green synthesis contributes to reductions in toxicity and greenhouse gas emissions.