Green nanotechnology: only the final product that matters?

Nanotechnology is increasingly showing interest in eco-friendly nanotechnology products. However, the final product does not always establish a connection with the principles established by green chemistry. Thus, much confusion is present in the literature, where nanostructures are synthesized with aggressive protocols to the environment but are subsequently exposed to natural products. The confusion established is associated with the natural products related to these nanostructures. Thus, the final nanotechnological product is considered green, even though it undergoes too drastic processes related to toxic precursors, the formation of by-products, high energy consumption. In this article, the importance of strengthening green chemistry principles to discuss green nanotechnology will be discussed.