Microplastic pollution in Himalayan lakes: assessment, risks, and sustainable remediation strategies

• Sameeksha Rawat,
• S. M. Tauseef and
• Madhuben Sharma

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2144–2167, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.148

• synthetic polymers into smaller, biodegradable particles [72]. Ojha et al. found that adding nutritional supplements sped up biofilm production in lab trials, suggesting that this strategy might be useful in nutrient-deficient lakes in the Himalayas [47]. The synergistic effects of hybrid biofilms that

• protective covering made of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs). These EPSs are made by the microbes themselves and stick to surfaces, such as MPs. The enzymes secreted by these microbial colonies have the ability to degrade synthetic polymers into smaller, biodegradable components. Tiwari et al. have

• -consumer plastic waste, as emphasized in the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan [138]. Additionally, industries should be incentivized to develop biodegradable alternatives, such as bioplastics, to reduce dependency on conventional plastics [139]. Due to the transboundary character of MP pollution

Beyond the shell: exploring polymer–lipid interfaces in core–shell nanofibers to carry hyaluronic acid and β-caryophyllene

• Aline Tavares da Silva Barreto,
• Francisco Alexandrino-Júnior,
• Bráulio Soares Arcanjo,
• Paulo Henrique de Souza Picciani and
• Kattya Gyselle de Holanda e Silva

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2015–2033, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.139

• interest in biopolymers such as PLA is, in part, driven by environmental concerns, climate change, and the depletion of fossil fuel resources, as PLA is derived from renewable sources and is both readily and completely biodegradable. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an extensively used component in wound healing

Current status of using adsorbent nanomaterials for removing microplastics from water supply systems: a mini review

• Nguyen Thi Nhan and
• Tran Le Luu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1837–1850, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.127

• ]. Additionally, although certain nanomaterials are designed to be biodegradable, their actual degradation strongly depends on environmental conditions. In cases of incomplete or slow biodegradation, these materials may persist and accumulate in the environment. Thus, the production and disposal of nanomaterials

Exploring the potential of polymers: advancements in oral nanocarrier technology

• Rousilândia de Araujo Silva,
• Igor Eduardo Silva Arruda,
• Luise Lopes Chaves,
• Mônica Felts de La Roca Soares and
• Jose Lamartine Soares Sobrinho

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1751–1793, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.122

• frequently involve non-biodegradable monomers, generate non-biocompatible byproducts, and require extensive purification to eliminate potentially toxic residues, thereby complicating scalability and regulatory compliance. Moreover, the use of free radicals or ultraviolet light to initiate polymerization

Venom-loaded cationic-functionalized poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles for serum production against Tityus serrulatus scorpion

• Philippe de Castro Mesquita,
• Karla Samara Rocha Soares,
• Manoela Torres-Rêgo,
• Emanuell dos Santos-Silva,
• Mariana Farias Alves-Silva,
• Alianda Maira Cornélio,
• Matheus de Freitas Fernandes-Pedrosa and
• Arnóbio Antônio da Silva-Júnior

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1633–1643, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.115

• barriers, their biocompatibility, and low toxicity [18]. Their manipulation at the nanoscale changes specific surface properties, possibly improving the ability to cross biological barriers targeting the affected tissues [18][19]. In this context, nanoparticle controlled release based on biodegradable

• nanoparticulate formulations based on biodegradable polymers such as PLA have been investigated [13][27][28][29][30][31][32]. A more detailed approach for use of a delivery system as a new nontoxic and non-inflammatory immunoadjuvant is of great importance to public health. The present study was designed with the

• aim to evaluate the effectiveness of biodegradable PLA polymeric nanoparticles functionalized with PEI as an adjuvant and potential candidate for vaccine delivery against T. serrulatus venom. Results Protein loading efficiency of the Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom The T. serrulatus venom protein

Nanotechnology-based approaches for the removal of microplastics from wastewater: a comprehensive review

• Nayanathara O Sanjeev,
• Manjunath Singanodi Vallabha and
• Rebekah Rubidha Lisha Rabi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1607–1632, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.114

• hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and other toxic contaminants, increasing their potential risks to living ecosystems and organisms [9][10]. MPs have low density, variable sizes, high persistence, and non-biodegradable nature. These characteristics make their removal difficult, especially in aquatic environments [11

• system complexity. Preventive approaches, such as glutenin-genipin cross-linked coatings, effectively reduce plastic shedding under harsh conditions using biodegradable materials; however, they address only source control and lack proven scalability. Imine-functionalized mesoporous magnetic silica

Bioinspired polypropylene-based functionally graded materials and metamaterials modeling the mistletoe–host interface

• Lina M. Rojas González,
• Naeim Ghavidelnia,
• Christoph Eberl and
• Max D. Mylo

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1592–1606, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.113

• extended by suitable combinations of materials with different mechanical properties but similar melting temperatures. In order to contribute to more sustainable material use, the transferability to bio-based or biodegradable material combinations (such as cellulose plastic) should be explored. The

Transient electronics for sustainability: Emerging technologies and future directions

• Jae-Young Bae,
• Myung-Kyun Choi and
• Seung-Kyun Kang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1545–1556, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.109

• operational period, addressing growing concerns over sustainability and long-term biocompatibility. Built from biodegradable materials that undergo hydrolysis or enzymatic degradation, these systems are particularly well suited for temporary implantable applications, such as neural monitors, wireless

• lifetime control through strategies such as protective encapsulation. This Perspective outlines critical opportunities and technical directions to guide the development of next-generation transient electronic systems. Keywords: biodegradable/bioresorbable electronics; biodegradable materials

• discourse, it has long been recognized in several application domains. For instance, biodegradable polymer-based materials have been extensively explored as environmentally benign alternatives that do not leave persistent residues [4]. Similarly, in the realm of implantable medical devices, efforts have

Nanomaterials for biomedical applications

• Iqra Zainab,
• Zohra Naseem,
• Syeda Rubab Batool,
• Filippo Pierini,
• Seda Kizilel and
• Muhammad Anwaar Nazeer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1499–1503, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.105

• [9]. Along with liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles have turned out to be an equally dynamic platform. Typically, these particles are composed of biodegradable materials, such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) or chitosan. One of the main advantages of polymers is that they can be designed to

The role of biochar in combating microplastic pollution: a bibliometric analysis in environmental contexts

• Tuan Minh Truong Dang,
• Thao Thu Thi Huynh,
• Guo-Ping Chang-Chien and
• Ha Manh Bui

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1401–1416, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.102

• examining the influence of MPs on soil organic matter and the role of biodegradable plastics, supported by biochar, in MP breakdown. Items such as “adsorption”, “plastic”, “water”, and “soil” (2021–2022) underscore the shift towards investigating MP adsorption in aquatic environments and its influence on

• ) MPs significantly reduce total exchangeable cations (Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+) by 4–6% [58]. Additionally, non-biodegradable MPs such as PE and PVC inhibit organic phosphate mineralization, alkaline phosphatase activity, and inorganic phosphate solubilization. By contrast, biodegradable MPs such as PLA

Functional bio-packaging enhanced with nanocellulose from rice straw and cinnamon essential oil Pickering emulsion for fruit preservation

• Tuyen B. Ly,
• Duong D. T. Nguyen,
• Hieu D. Nguyen,
• Yen T. H. Nguyen,
• Bup T. A. Bui,
• Kien A. Le and
• Phung K. Le

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1234–1245, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.91

• City, Vietnam CIRTECH Institute, HUTECH University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 10.3762/bjnano.16.91 Abstract Biopackaging materials are gaining significant attention compared to traditional synthetic polymers thanks to their biodegradable and biocompatible nature to be used in food, pharmaceutical, and

Hydrogels and nanogels: effectiveness in dermal applications

• Jéssica da Cruz Ludwig,
• Diana Fortkamp Grigoletto,
• Daniele Fernanda Renzi,
• Wolf-Rainer Abraham,
• Daniel de Paula and
• Najeh Maissar Khalil

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1216–1233, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.90

• as drug carriers to deliver hydrophobic [153] and hydrophilic [154] molecules as well as biomolecules, including proteins [155] and nucleic acids [156]. These nanocarriers can be obtained from biodegradable and biocompatible materials [157], showing singular properties, such as stimuli-responsiveness

• angiogenic factor associated with the tumor, called thymidine phosphorylase (dTfdPase), thus minimizing the exposure of healthy tissues to 5-FU [216]. Biodegradable polymers are widely used in nanotechnology to develop different systems due to their advantages, such as greater absorption [218][219] and high

• safety [209]. Nanogels loaded with 5-FU [196][209] and capecitabine [37], when topically applied, can be an interesting strategy to improve chemotherapeutic efficiency in the treatment of skin cancer [168]. Double-walled biodegradable nanogels composed of PLGA–chitosan coated with eucalyptus oil

Chitosan nanocomposite containing rotenoids: an alternative bioinsecticidal approach for the management of Aedes aegypti

• Maria A. A. Bertonceli,
• Vitor D. C. Cristo,
• Ivo J. Vieira,
• Francisco J. A. Lemos,
• Arnoldo R. Façanha,
• Raimundo Braz-Filho,
• Gustavo V. T. Batista,
• Luis G. M. Basso,
• Sérgio H. Seabra,
• Thalya S. R. Nogueira,
• Felipe F. Moreira,
• Arícia L. E. M. Assis,
• Antônia E. A. Oliveira and
• Kátia V. S. Fernandes

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1197–1208, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.88

• nanoparticles exhibited no adverse effects on larval survival, which is attributed to the biocompatibility and nontoxic nature of chitosan, a biodegradable polysaccharide structurally related to the insect exoskeleton and widely recognized for its environmental safety. Additionally, neither rotenoids nor the CS

• impacts associated with traditional synthetic insecticides [9][10]. Chitosan nanoparticles, derived from a biodegradable and nontoxic polysaccharide, have proven effective in reducing post-harvest deterioration of fruits and vegetables, in addition to exhibiting well-documented antimicrobial properties

Soft materials nanoarchitectonics: liquid crystals, polymers, gels, biomaterials, and others

• Katsuhiko Ariga

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1025–1067, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.77

Multifunctional properties of bio-poly(butylene succinate) reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

• Volodymyr Krasinskyi,
• Krzysztof Bajer,
• Ludmila Dulebova,
• Nickolas Polychronopoulos,
• Oksana Krasinska and
• Daniel Kaczor

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1014–1024, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.76

• enhancing the properties of biodegradable polymers. This study investigated the effect of a 0.5 wt % addition of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the properties of bio-poly(butylene succinate) (BioPBS) using a masterbatch-based melt compounding method. The incorporation of MWCNTs enhanced the

• ); structure; tribological properties; Introduction In recent years, biodegradable polymers have gained significant attention as environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastics. One particularly promising material is poly(butylene succinate), which exhibits a desirable combination of mechanical

Synthesis of a multicomponent cellulose-based adsorbent for tetracycline removal from aquaculture water

• Uyen Bao Tran,
• Ngoc Thanh Vo-Tran,
• Khai The Truong,
• Dat Anh Nguyen,
• Quang Nhat Tran,
• Huu-Quang Nguyen,
• Jaebeom Lee and
• Hai Son Truong-Lam

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 728–739, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.56

• characteristics and morphology of the synthesized adsorbent. Additionally, the study examines the adsorption mechanism of TC on the material’s surface and evaluates the effects of pH value, adsorbent dosage, and matrix composition. As a biodegradable and easily recoverable material derived from natural cellulose

Polyurethane/silk fibroin-based electrospun membranes for wound healing and skin substitute applications

• Iqra Zainab,
• Zohra Naseem,
• Syeda Rubab Batool,
• Muhammad Waqas,
• Ahsan Nazir and
• Muhammad Anwaar Nazeer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 591–612, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.46

• ability of SF films to enhance light trapping in photoelectronic devices. Furthermore, combining SF films with biodegradable solar cells has the potential to power next-generation biomedical equipment, providing long-term energy solutions for diagnostic and therapeutic applications [93]. Silk fibroin

• [139]. Biodegradable polyurethanes The ease of manufacturing of PU and its tunable elastic, mechanical, and biodegradable properties make it an ideal material for wound healing, tissue engineering, and drug delivery applications [140]. Medical implants such as vascular grafts and cardiac pacemakers can

• biodegradable [124]. Degradation is limited in crystalline regions, while amorphous regions get degraded easily within PU. The molecular structure and composition of the polymer, its molecular weight, crystallinity, and the presence of cross-links and additives are a few elements that impact polymer degradation

Nanomaterials in targeting amyloid-β oligomers: current advances and future directions for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and therapy

• Shiwani Randhawa,
• Trilok Chand Saini,
• Manik Bathla,
• Rahul Bhardwaj,
• Rubina Dhiman and
• Amitabha Acharya

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 561–580, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.44

Synthetic-polymer-assisted antisense oligonucleotide delivery: targeted approaches for precision disease treatment

• Ana Cubillo Alvarez,
• Dylan Maguire and
• Ruairí P. Brannigan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 435–463, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.34

• complexed PLR (Mw = 15–70 kDa) with hyaluronic acid (HA) to form biodegradable nanoparticles capable of delivering siRNA to cells overexpressing the HA receptor CD44. The study demonstrated that these HA–PLR complexes, in particular the formulation HP101, were able to form stable complexes with siRNA and

• inhibited tumour growth, outperforming both naked siRNA and PLR–siRNA complexes. In 2012, Cheng and Saltzman coated biodegradable polymer nanoparticles with nona-arginine (ARG), an oligomeric form of poly(ʟ-arginine), to enhance the cellular uptake and delivery efficiency of PMOs [97]. The study

• following studies, Zhao et al. developed a novel siRNA delivery system using PLR as a condensing block in the formation of cationic micellar nanoparticles [98]. In this report, biodegradable amphiphilic triblock copolymers composed of monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG), poly(ᴅ,ʟ-lactide) (PLA), and

Engineered PEG–PCL nanoparticles enable sensitive and selective detection of sodium dodecyl sulfate: a qualitative and quantitative analysis

• Soni Prajapati and
• Ranjana Singh

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 385–396, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.29

• and PCL to produce amphiphilic nanoparticles which possess both hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments. PEG, known for its water solubility and biocompatibility, provides the hydrophilic component, while PCL, a biodegradable polyester, contributes with hydrophobicity, enabling the formation of

Enhancing mechanical properties of chitosan/PVA electrospun nanofibers: a comprehensive review

• Nur Areisman Mohd Salleh,
• Amalina Muhammad Afifi,
• Fathiah Mohamed Zuki and
• Hanna Sofia SalehHudin

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 286–307, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.22

• conductivity. Finally, environmental parameters include relative humidity and temperature [15]. Chitosan, a widely utilized material in electrospun nanofiber membranes, is derived from the crystalline microfibrils of crustaceans, including crabs and prawns. It is biodegradable and exhibits a high capacity for

• overcome these limitations, without losing the advantages of PVA such as biodegradability, is to blend PVA with stiff and water-insoluble biodegradable polymers such as chitosan [68]. Fabrication techniques Nanofibers can be fabricated using different methods such as direct drawing, template synthesis

Nanocarriers and macrophage interaction: from a potential hurdle to an alternative therapeutic strategy

• Naths Grazia Sukubo,
• Paolo Bigini and
• Annalisa Morelli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 97–118, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.10

• activation of the complement system, due to the accumulation of PEG in the body as a non-biodegradable polymer. Therefore, PEGylation must be carefully considered when designing NC-based therapies [49][50]. A strategy to avoid possible immunoreactions is to mask NPs by marking them as “self” and biomimetic

• have focused on improving therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. One such innovative approach, as demonstrated by Violatto et al., involves the conjugation of Dex to biodegradable Avidin-Nucleic-Acid-Nano-Assemblies (ANANAS). This method leverages the natural liver tropism of these nano

Natural nanofibers embedded in the seed mucilage envelope: composite hydrogels with specific adhesive and frictional properties

• Agnieszka Kreitschitz and
• Stanislav N. Gorb

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1603–1618, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.126

• The increasing interests in natural, biodegradable, non-toxic materials that can find application in diverse industry branches, for example, food, pharmacy, medicine, or materials engineering, has steered the attention of many scientists to plants, which are a known source of natural hydrogels

• mucilage produced by plant diaspores became of high interest in diverse sectors, such as medicine, cosmetics, food, biomedicine, pharmaceutics, nanomaterials, and bioinspired nanotechnology [11][17][18][19][20]. Mucilage is a natural, biodegradable, non-toxic plant product, odourless, colourless, and

• account that many plants all over the world are able to produce seed/fruit mucilage, we have a natural source of non-toxic, biodegradable hydrogels. The mucilage envelopes of diverse diaspores share many common features, but also demonstrate some differences in their chemical composition and physical

Facile synthesis of size-tunable L-carnosine-capped silver nanoparticles and their role in metal ion sensing and catalytic degradation of p-nitrophenol

• Akash Kumar,
• Ridhima Chadha,
• Abhishek Das,
• Nandita Maiti and
• Rayavarapu Raja Gopal

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1576–1592, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.124

• monitoring and remediation methods. Five heavy metals, namely, mercury (Hg2+), lead (Pb2+), cadmium (Cd2+), chromium (Cr3+), and arsenic (As3+), pose severe risks to human health and ecological systems because of their non-biodegradable nature and long biological half-lives, leading to bioaccumulation and

Polymer lipid hybrid nanoparticles for phytochemical delivery: challenges, progress, and future prospects

• Iqra Rahat,
• Pooja Yadav,
• Aditi Singhal,
• Mohammad Fareed,
• Jaganathan Raja Purushothaman,
• Mohammed Aslam,
• Raju Balaji,
• Sonali Patil-Shinde and
• Md. Rizwanullah

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1473–1497, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.118

• core–lipid shell hybrid nanoparticles As the name suggests, polymer core–lipid shell hybrid nanoparticles are composed of a polymer core that is covered by mono/bilayers of a lipoidal shell. The polymeric core significantly enhances the stability of the outer lipoidal shell. The biodegradable polymeric

• core with a stable outer lipoidal shell makes these PLHNPs an excellent nanocarrier for therapeutic drug delivery and the treatment of various diseases. The amphiphilicity of biodegradable polymers and lipids promotes the encapsulation of both lipophilic as well as hydrophilic chemotherapeutic drugs

• the name suggests, the structural arrangement of these nanocarriers involves the surface coating of liposomes with biodegradable polymers/copolymers. The surface modification not only imparts surface functionality to the nanocarrier but also enhances its therapeutic efficacy by site-specific targeting