Floral biomass as a platform for next-generation nanostructured materials: A review

Abstract

Floral biomass, an underutilized and seasonally abundant biowaste, has recently emerged as a promising sustainable precursor for the synthesis of nanostructured materials. Rich in carbonaceous compounds, natural pigments, and heteroatom-containing biomolecules, floral residues enable the fabrication of functional nanomaterials through green and low-energy processing routes. This review critically examines recent advances in the conversion of floral biomass into nanostructured carbons, metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, and hybrid nanocomposites. Emphasis is placed on synthesis strategies, including pyrolysis, hydrothermal treatment, and bio-assisted routes, and their influence on morphology, surface chemistry, and functional performance. The applications of these materials in energy storage systems, particularly supercapacitors, and in water treatment technologies such as adsorption and catalytic remediation are comprehensively discussed. Beyond performance metrics, the review highlights sustainability aspects, including waste valorization, environmental impact reduction, and circular bioeconomy integration. Current challenges related to scalability, reproducibility, and structure–property relationships are identified, and future research directions are proposed to facilitate the transition of floral biomass–derived nanomaterials from laboratory studies to practical applications.