Nanoglasses: a trail towards uncharted regions of vitreous materials and their properties?

• Gerhard Wilde and
• Horst Hahn

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 1047–1062, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.72

Ultrasonic irradiation in the synthesis of nanohydroxyapatite: a chemically friendly technique for improving hemocompatibility and antibiofilm applications

• Juan Mendoza Turmero,
• Cristina Parra Pantoja,
• Marcos Sabino Gutiérrez,
• Milagro Fernández-Delgado,
• Claudia Alvarado-Castillo,
• Damarys Soto Gil,
• María E. Gomes Gomes,
• Yony Gutiérrez Barrios and
• Daniel Suárez Arteaga

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 991–1015, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.68

• ], and implant coatings [13]. The most widely reported method for obtaining hydroxyapatite is the hydrothermal method [14]. However, this synthesis procedure involves high energy consumption and prolonged reaction times [15]. Figure 2 summarizes some of the advantages and disadvantages of each synthesis

• teeth, where hydroxyapatite provides a stable, insoluble reserve of calcium and phosphate ions. Its use in various applications of interest to this research, such as bone grafts and coatings, is also relevant. In these applications, the slow dissolution rate is a desirable property. Yield in the

Materials challenges in solid-state sensors for continuous monitoring of ions in water

• Maryam Darestani-Farahani and
• Peter Kruse

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 935–973, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.66

• located further from the channel; this is the core challenge for liquid-phase FET sensing. Practical routes include lowering ionic strength (when acceptable), using small receptors (aptamers) and porous/charge-excluding coatings (like ChemFETs), nano-confinement, or device formats such as the extended

Enhanced erosion resistance and radiation stability of WC–WO₃ nanocomposite films under 100 keV Kr⁺ ion irradiation

• Shristi Bist,
• Parswajit Kalita,
• Ratnesh K. Pandey,
• Sejal Shah,
• Richa Krishna,
• Umapathy G. R.,
• Sunil Ojha and
• Devesh K. Avasthi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 922–934, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.65

• combination of hardness and resistance to wear, corrosion, and radiation makes WC a critical material for advanced structural and protective coating applications, including cutting tools, wear-resistant coatings, and plasma-facing components in fusion reactors [7][8][9]. It is being investigated for

Environmental applications of silver nanoparticles: state-of-the-art review and emerging trends

• Soni Prajapati,
• Akash Kumar and
• Ranjana Singh

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 697–736, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.49

• ultrafiltration membrane technologies used for management of water pollutants. In addition, AgNPs-assisted nanosystems in fibrous filter membranes and photocatalytic composite coatings for the removal of volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and gaseous pollutants are reviewed. Furthermore, AgNP

• X-ray analysis [49]. TEM analysis is performed on copper grids with varying mesh sizes and coatings, with carbon/formvar-coated copper grids commonly preferred. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provides information on the silver nanoparticles’ surface properties and the aggregation state of dried

• nanoparticles, including surface coatings or functional groups, can alter their reactivity, stability, and interactions with pollutants and microorganisms [68]. Environmental standardization and stabilization of AgNPs surface charge are essential in biological systems for studying interactions [69]. Response

Probing tribological evolution in atomically thin MoS₂ at different scales

• Xingzhong Zeng and
• Miao Zhang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 586–597, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.40

• nanoscale to sub-nanoscale, providing critical insights for designing low-friction coatings and high-performance micro/nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS). Keywords: atomic force microscopy; MoS2; strengthening effect; sub-nanoscale stick–slip motion; Introduction Nanoscale friction is a pivotal

• -friction coatings, high-efficiency lubricants, and durable MEMS/NEMS. (a) AFM topographic image of atomically thin MoS2 along with the cross-sectional height profiles in the insets. (b) AFM phase image corresponding to the topographic image along with the cross-sectional profiles in the insets. (c, d

Advances in nanotechnology applied to natural products

• Douglas Dourado,
• Fábio Rocha Formiga,
• Éverton do Nascimento Alencar and
• Franceline Reynaud

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 555–558, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.36

• modifications (e.g., polymer or polysaccharide coatings) can be used to tailor stability and biological interactions [16]. These vesicles are attractive due to their biocompatibility and capacity to encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic substances [17]. Liposomes have been explored in diverse biomedical

Upcycling agroindustrial waste into graphene oxide supports for gold nanoparticles: toward sustainable nanomaterials

• Juan Marcos Castro-Tapia,
• Selene Acosta,
• Hiram Joazet Ojeda-Galván,
• Elsie Evelyn Araujo-Palomo,
• Edgar Giovanni Villabona-Leal and
• Mildred Quintana

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 489–504, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.32

• and dispersibility of GO, makes these composites attractive for antimicrobial coatings and water disinfection systems [63][64][65]. Importantly, the use of agroindustrial waste-derived GO as a carbon precursor adds value to otherwise discarded biomass, offering a low-cost and resource-efficient

Biomimetic nanoparticles in cancer photodynamic therapy: a review of targeted delivery systems and therapeutic outcomes

• Valentina I. Gorbacheva,
• Alexey S. Grabovoy,
• Polina S. Marukhina,
• Anastasiia O. Syrocheva and
• Ekaterina P. Kolesova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 396–422, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.27

• interaction with target cells [58]. Common techniques include (i) physical co-extrusion, where nanoparticles and membranes are forced through porous membranes to form uniform coatings; (ii) sonication, which uses ultrasonic energy to induce membrane fusion and often favors correct protein orientation; and

• natural “self-markers” like CD47 to inhibit phagocytosis and enhance passive tumor accumulation via the EPR effect [65]. Immune clearance by the MPS, primarily in liver and spleen, is another major hurdle. Biomimetic coatings help nanoparticles avoid rapid removal from the bloodstream, as demonstrated by

• prolonged circulation and increased tumor targeting in systems coated with erythrocyte or stem cell membranes [66]. Such coatings can also facilitate homotypic targeting, where nanoparticles preferentially bind to and are internalized by cancer cells of the same origin, further improving specificity and

Polycatecholamine nanocoatings on stainless steel: the effect on attachment of human fibroblasts and platelets

• Paulina Trzaskowska,
• Ewa Rybak,
• Maciej Trzaskowski,
• Kamil Kopeć,
• Jakub Krzemiński,
• Rafał Podgórski,
• Hatice Genc,
• Mehtap Civelek and
• Iwona Cicha

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 365–380, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.25

• layers on stainless steel 316L via a novel in situ oxidation process and evaluated their physicochemical properties and cellular interactions at the nano/microscale. Surface characterization revealed that the polymeric coatings formed a homogenous layer with distinct topographical features and thickness

• in the nanometer range for PTYR and in the micrometer range in case of PDA. Compared to PDA, PTYR coatings exhibited a nanoparticulate surface morphology and higher stability under physiological conditions. Wettability, roughness, and amine group density were systematically analyzed to determine

• their influence on interactions with fibroblasts and platelets. Our results show that PTYR nanocoatings significantly reduced platelet adhesion and activation, whereas PDA coatings, due to their higher primary amine content, could in some cases enhance platelet adhesion. Furthermore, fibroblast

Advancing nanolithography: a comprehensive review of materials for local anodic oxidation with AFM

• Matteo Lorenzoni

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 275–291, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.19

• ], making it the preferred technique for large-scale, uniform coatings. However, LAO remains advantageous for high-resolution, direct-write patterning at the nanoscale, despite its limited scalability. Furthermore, the resulting LAO oxide can be easily etched by mild acid solutions [40] or water [24]. A

• , particularly for sensitive organic substrates. 3.2 Enhancing process precision 3.2.1 Advanced tip design. Developing tips with improved durability and conductivity (e.g., multilayer coatings or adaptive tip shapes) could mitigate wear and maintain precision over extended use. Selecting an appropriate tip

• mechanical stability. However, these coatings can degrade over time due to mechanical wear and electrochemical reactions, especially under high contact forces (1000–1500 nN) and elevated bias voltages (10–25 V). This degradation can lead to tip blunting or delamination, reducing resolution and altering oxide

Durable antimicrobial activity of fabrics functionalized with zeolite ion-exchanged nanomaterials against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

• Perla Sánchez-López,
• Kendra Ramirez Acosta,
• Sergio Fuentes Moyado,
• Ruben Dario Cadena-Nava and
• Elena Smolentseva

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 262–274, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.18

• leaves of some plants are water- or dust-repellent, and these repellent properties can be transferred to textiles by modifying the components involved in these mechanisms [24]. Among the physicochemical methods used for fabric functionalization with nanomaterials are coatings, electrospinning, assembling

Micro- and nanoscale effects in biological and bioinspired materials and surfaces

• Thies H. Büscher,
• Rhainer Guillermo Ferreira,
• Manuela Rebora and
• Stanislav N. Gorb

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 214–217, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.14

• Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121 Perugia, Italy 10.3762/bjnano.17.14 Keywords: adhesion; bioengineering; functional morphology; material properties; medical coatings; microstructures; nanostructures; optics; structure–function relationships; Micro- and

• al. [24] presented a thorough review on the most recent scientific literature on techniques, materials, and processes used in the production of coatings for cultural heritage protection with particular attention to the generation of superhydrophobic surfaces. The challenges for cultural heritage

Safe and sustainable by design with ML/AI: A transformative approach to advancing nanotechnology

• Georgia Melagraki

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 176–185, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.11

• valuable, are resource intensive and inadequate to fully address the dynamic risks associated with ENMs and their myriad nanoscale forms (i.e., different sizes, geometries, coatings) [11]. The need for more proactive and efficient methodologies has led to the emergence of the Safe and Sustainable by Design

• interpolation from limited experimental datasets [57]. Given that protein corona formation [58] can drastically alter the biodistribution and immunological profile of a nanoparticle, digital twins help pinpoint safer design parameters – such as surface coatings or particle size modifications – which improve

From shield to spear: Charge-reversible nanocarriers in overcoming cancer therapy barriers

• Madhuri Yeduvaka,
• Pooja Mittal,
• Ameer Boyalakuntla,
• Usman Bee Shaik,
• Himanshu Sharma,
• Thakur Gurjeet Singh,
• Siva Nageswara Rao Gajula and
• Lakshmi Vineela Nalla

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 159–175, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.10

• ultrasound-responsive CRNs employing calcium-ion-crosslinked sodium-alginate coatings on mesoporous silica nanoparticles offer reversible, on-demand, and biocompatible drug release options. Such systems harness ultrasound-induced cavitation to disrupt and reform ionic bonds, showing considerable promise for

• polymeric nanocarriers such as PAMAM dendrimers are critical for minimising toxicity and enhancing clinical applicability. Advancing FDA-approved excipients with enzymatically cleavable coatings, innovating adaptable charge-reversal mechanisms responsive to heterogeneous tumour microenvironments, and

Functional surface engineering for cultural heritage protection: the role of superhydrophobic and superoleophobic coatings – a comprehensive review

• Giuseppe Cesare Lama,
• Marino Lavorgna,
• Letizia Verdolotti,
• Federica Recupido,
• Giovanna Giuliana Buonocore and
• Bharat Bhushan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 63–96, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.6

• explores recent advancements in protective strategies for heritage materials including stone, concrete, ceramic, glass, metal, wood, and textiles. Special attention is given to the development and application of superhydrophobic and superoleophobic coatings, which offer promising defense against moisture

• , pollutants, and oily substances. These functional surfaces, often based on coatings consisting of polymeric, ceramic, and composite materials, can provide durable, non-invasive protection tailored to specific substrate weaknesses and exposure environments (indoor and outdoor). Objective of this review

• protective materials; nanocomposite; substrate vulnerability; superhydrophobic coatings; sustainability; Introduction The conservation of cultural heritage is not only an endeavor to preserve the physical integrity of artifacts but also to maintain the cultural identity of societies [1]. With the growing

Quantitative estimation of nanoparticle/substrate adhesion by atomic force microscopy

• Aydan Çiçek,
• Markus Kratzer,
• Christian Teichert and
• Christian Mitterer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 1–14, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.1

• strength provides a practical framework for characterizing NP/substrate interactions. Such understanding is essential for developing reliable NP coatings, where adhesion directly influences coating stability, uniformity, and functional performance under varying environmental and mechanical stress

Internal 3D temperature mapping in biological systems using ratiometric light-sheet imaging and lipid-coated upconversion nanothermometers

• Dannareli Barron-Ortiz,
• Enric Pérez-Parets,
• Rubén D. Cadena-Nava,
• Emilio J. Gualda,
• Jacob Licea-Rodríguez,
• Juan Hernández-Cordero,
• Pablo Loza-Álvarez and
• Israel Rocha-Mendoza

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2306–2316, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.159

• to electrostatic repulsion with the negatively charged glycocalyx of the intestinal cell membranes, thereby hindering endocytosis [58]. This contrasts with cationic coatings like polyethyleneimine (PEI), which promote endocytosis and lead to UCNP internalization into intestinal cells [59]. This

• nanothermometry in vivo. Future work will also focus on engineering UCNP coatings for specific subcellular targeting to further expand the biological applicability of this technique. The readily transferable nature of both the lipid-coating approach and the optical setup establishes a practical foundation for

Ultrathin water layers on mannosylated gold nanoparticles

• Maiara A. Iriarte Alonso,
• Jorge H. Melillo,
• Silvina Cerveny,
• Yujin Tong and
• Alexander M. Bittner

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2183–2198, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.151

• carbohydrate coatings. Finally, revealing the water adsorption on dimannoside from dryness to high humidity offers new insights into the molecular role of these surface residues also from a biophysical perspective, which is especially valuable when the biological objects in question are highly pathogenic. Size

Electron transport through nanoscale multilayer graphene and hexagonal boron nitride junctions

• Aleksandar Staykov and
• Takaya Fujisaki

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2132–2143, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.147

• graphene-based electronics and as a dielectric material in nanoelectronics devices. It finds application regarding corrosion resistance and antioxidation protective coatings [19]. Due to its high thermal conductivity and electrical insulation, h-BN is used in thermal management applications. h-BN is used

Toward clinical translation of carbon nanomaterials in anticancer drug delivery: the need for standardisation

• Michał Bartkowski,
• Francesco Calzaferri and
• Silvia Giordani

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2092–2104, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.144

• stabilising surface coatings are employed to preserve nanoparticle stability over time. The degree of functionalisation is also a key consideration as surface modifications can enhance solubility, targeting ability, and biocompatibility. Consistent functionalisation is necessary to ensure reproducibility and

On the road to sustainability – application of metallic nanoparticles obtained by green synthesis in dentistry: a scoping review

• Lorena Pinheiro Vasconcelos Silva,
• Joice Catiane Soares Martins,
• Israel Luís Carvalho Diniz,
• Júlio Abreu Miranda,
• Danilo Rodrigues de Souza,
• Éverton do Nascimento Alencar,
• Moan Jéfter Fernandes Costa and
• Pedro Henrique Sette-de-Souza

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1851–1862, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.128

• in optical and photocatalytic applications, particularly in regenerative procedures and dental coatings [48][49]. The sparse use of other metals such as magnesium, iron, selenium, and cerium oxides suggests ongoing exploration of less conventional materials with niche properties, possibly linked to

• coatings for dental and orthodontic surfaces. Beyond the initial findings, nanoparticles have also been incorporated into a wide range of preventive and restorative dental materials. Composite resins and glass ionomer cements reinforced with silver or zinc oxide nanoparticles exhibit enhanced antimicrobial

• regenerative potential of biomaterials applied in clinical settings. Implantology is another emerging area of application, where nanoparticle-based coatings are used to reduce peri-implant biofilm formation and enhance osseointegration [9][19]. Titanium implants functionalized with green-synthesized AgNPs or

Electrical, photocatalytic, and sensory properties of graphene oxide and polyimide implanted with low- and medium-energy silver ions

• Josef Novák,
• Eva Štěpanovská,
• Petr Malinský,
• Vlastimil Mazánek,
• Jan Luxa,
• Ulrich Kentsch and
• Zdeněk Sofer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1794–1811, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.123

• yield. Such properties are promising for applications including photocatalytic water purification, self-cleaning surfaces, and light-activated antimicrobial coatings [20]. The elemental composition of the modified films was characterized by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and elastic recoil

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

• hydrophilic polymers (e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysaccharides) or mucoadhesive agents such as chitosan, which can enhance colloidal stability, promote mucus permeation, and protect the nanocarrier from enzymatic degradation in the GIT. Such coatings have been explored to improve the pharmacokinetic

• detailed discussion of examples of polymeric coatings on NPs intended for oral administration, using both synthetic and natural polymers [70][71]. Polymer properties such as Tg, solubility, crystallinity, and molecular weight are interrelated and have a significant impact on the permeability of NPs

Ambient pressure XPS at MAX IV

• Mattia Scardamaglia,
• Ulrike Küst,
• Alexander Klyushin,
• Rosemary Jones,
• Jan Knudsen,
• Robert Temperton,
• Andrey Shavorskiy and
• Esko Kokkonen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1677–1694, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.118

• remediation, and other light-driven processes. Atomic layer deposition Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a critical thin-film technology widely used in semiconductors, nanoelectronics, energy storage, catalysis, and advanced coatings. It enables atomically precise control over film thickness and composition