The Growing Use of Nanotechnology in the Built Environment: A Review

Abstract

Though the past industrial revolutions had unleashed many of the world’s current problems including the Covid-19 virus but the 4th industrial revolution promises a sustainable future through the use of advanced materials like Nanotechnology. Not at all new, the use of this disruptive technology had its footprints in the pages of history - Ajanta Paintings, Damascus Sword & many others. Nano Titanium dioxide (58%) and Nano silica (21%) are the most used advanced materials in the nanotechnology-based building products while China in Asia and Germany in Europe are the two leading countries in the field of production of nanomaterials for building industry. India has been amongst the five top countries globally for technical publications in nano sciences & technology. This paper delves into the world of advanced nanomaterials and studies their impact on the construction industry vis-a-vis the built environment in India and abroad.