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

• transmission of airborne viruses, such as influenza. Keywords: AFM; humidity; hydrophilicity; hydrophobicity; nanoparticles; sum frequency generation spectroscopy; viruses; water; wetting; Introduction Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been a staple in biomedical and biophysical research [1][2] for almost a

• either case the NPs will expand. We will, however, demonstrate the role of the ligand conformation. We obtained detailed spatial characterization by SEM, to measure size and shape, and to detect aggregation upon adsorption on surfaces of different hydrophilicity (see Supporting Information File 1

• amplitude–distance curves are accessed. Second, tips with different hydrophilicity complement topographic information with accurate height determination. Third, the same is true for surfaces; self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of silanes are well suited to assess the water layer contribution in AFM

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

• degradation, and moderate hydrophilicity, but also biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and non-carcinogenicity [5]. Adhering to these critical quality requirements for biomedical products, polylactic acid (PLA) was selected for nanofiber production. This biotechnologically derived aliphatic polyester is a rigid

• surface distribution may compromise encapsulation efficiency and alter release kinetics [76]. Surface hydrophilicity The hydrophilicity of the membranes was evaluated through contact angle measurements. Figure 10 shows photographs of a water droplet in contact with the surface of the samples: (a

• high hydrophobicity of this polymer. In cases where not all the hydrophilic core content is fully coated by the shell, a reduction in membrane hydrophobicity is observed due to the presence of hydrophilic nanofibers [77]. Surface hydrophilicity assays revealed that the produced nanofibers exhibit high

PEGylated lipids in lipid nanoparticle delivery dynamics and therapeutic innovation

• Peiyang Gao

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1914–1930, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.133

• ) (PMOZ) and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEOZ) [82][83]. Structurally, these polymers have short alkyl side chains that contribute to high hydrophilicity and flexibility. Unlike the entangled PEG chains due to interchain hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces, poly(2-oxazoline) chains have shorter side

• functional end group, offering a potential strategy to modulate antibody recognition. Commonly used PEG lipids such as DMG-PEG and DSPE-PEG have methoxy as their terminal capping group. This methoxy group is chemically stable and contributes to hydrophilicity. However, it is also the primary epitope

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

• enzymatic degradation. Consequently, copolymers with hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments are widely used in NPs to ensure more predictable release rates [28][62][63]. The hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity of polymers are directly related to their in vivo stability, influencing the pharmacokinetics and

• biological distribution of NPs. Increased hydrophilicity determines the degradation rate and their recognition by the reticuloendothelial system, preventing adsorption and nonspecific protein interactions. Furthermore, it enhances steric repulsion, reducing opsonization and activation of the complement

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

• membrane by integrating sustainably synthesized MIL-100 (Fe) MOF nanoparticles into a polysulfone (PSF) matrix. This PSF/MIL-100 (Fe) membrane exhibited substantial improvements over the unmodified PSF membrane (M0), particularly in terms of membrane structure, surface hydrophilicity (with the water

• area and layered, folded structures. These 2D materials are known for their chemical robustness, surface functionality, hydrophilicity, excellent electrical conductivity, and eco-friendly nature. Due to these properties, MXenes, particularly titanium carbide derivatives (Ti3C2Tx), have become widely

Photocatalytic degradation of ofloxacin in water assisted by TiO₂ nanowires on carbon cloth: contributions of H₂O₂ addition and substrate absorbability

• Iram Hussain,
• Lisha Zhang,
• Zhizhen Ye and
• Jin-Ming Wu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1567–1579, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.111

• ). Remarkably, the CC/NW-450 °C composite exhibits a contact angle of 0° (Supporting Information File 1, Figure S9c), showing complete wettability. This significant enhancement in hydrophilicity is attributed to the high surface roughness and porous hydrophilic nanowire architecture formed on the carbon cloth

• , which improves water spreading and facilitates the adsorption of aqueous pollutants during photocatalytic degradation [34]. The Ti foil covered with TiO2 nanowires (TiP/NW-450 °C) exhibits a contact angle of around 62.4° (Supporting Information File 1, Figure S9a), reflecting a moderate hydrophilicity

Laser processing in liquids: insights into nanocolloid generation and thin film integration for energy, photonic, and sensing applications

• Akshana Parameswaran Sreekala,
• Pooja Raveendran Nair,
• Jithin Kundalam Kadavath,
• Bindu Krishnan,
• David Avellaneda Avellaneda,
• M. R. Anantharaman and
• Sadasivan Shaji

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1428–1498, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.104

Synthesis and antibacterial properties of nanosilver-modified cellulose triacetate membranes for seawater desalination

• Lei Wang,
• Shizhe Li,
• Kexin Xu,
• Wenjun Li,
• Ying Li and
• Gang Liu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1380–1391, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.100

• PAN nanofibers, enhancing the hydrophilicity and antibacterial properties of the membrane [20]. Elimelech’s group introduced copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) onto the surface of thin-film composite (TFC) polyamide RO membranes through a method involving electrostatic functionalization. The functionalized

• fibers boast exceptional hydrophilicity, facile film-forming ability, high salt retention rate, cost effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and resistance to chlorine; making it a promising material for water desalination [25][26][27]. However, CTA is susceptible to erosion and degradation by

• primary factors. First, the abundant –OH and amino groups in PDA promote hydrogen bonding with water molecules, thereby enhancing the hydrophilicity of the membrane surface. This effect is further amplified by the dopamine coating, which not only increases the membrane thickness but also augments its

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

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

• suitable hydrophilicity for cell proliferation and promoted higher keratinocyte proliferation and viability after seven days compared to pure PCL and SF nanofibers [68]. In another study, Lee et al. explored the use of 3D electrospun SF nanofibers as a dermal substitute for full-thickness skin defects

• to speed up the PU synthesis. The initial ratio of the three key components and synthesis route and parameters are the primary factors that influence the properties of PU, such as degradability, flexibility, and hydrophilicity. By adjusting these factors, the characteristics of PU can be effectively

• survival, cell adhesion and proliferation, increased blood clotting capacity, and better hydrophilicity, PU was employed as the base polymer and combined with CA and zein (a natural polymer) [158]. Numerous studies have shown that manufacturing PU with organic polymers, such as chitosan, helps to create a

Water in nanoporous hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets: a first-principles study

• Juliana A. Gonçalves,
• Ronaldo J. C. Batista and
• Marcia C. Barbosa

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 510–519, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.39

• affect the hydrophilicity of the h-BN monolayer. Triangular pores render h-BN less hydrophilic than rhombic pores. This distinct behavior between triangular and rhombic pores suggests that pore shape can have a substantial impact on the flow of water through the material. An intriguing aspect of the

Pulsed laser in liquid grafting of gold nanoparticle–carbon support composites

• Madeleine K. Wilsey,
• Teona Taseska,
• Qishen Lyu,
• Connor P. Cox and
• Astrid M. Müller

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 349–361, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.26

• , rapid, scalable, acid-free process to make carbon fiber paper hydrophilic without destroying the carbon network, as other carbon fiber paper oxidation methods do [22], evident from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging (Figure 2A). Hydrophilicity was achieved by graphitic edge carbon oxygenation

Graphene oxide–chloroquine conjugate induces DNA damage in A549 lung cancer cells through autophagy modulation

• Braham Dutt Arya,
• Sandeep Mittal,
• Prachi Joshi,
• Alok Kumar Pandey,
• Jaime E. Ramirez-Vick,
• Govind Gupta and
• Surinder P. Singh

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 316–332, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.24

• -based propidium iodide uptake analysis The efficacy of nanomedicines mainly depends upon the effective cellular internalization and their transport to the appropriate intercellular effector site [52][53]. Studies have shown that based on its size and surface characteristics (i.e., hydrophilicity or

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

• hydrophilicity, and low thermal stability [106][107]. The disadvantages often necessitate the combination of PVA with other materials or the application of post-processing techniques such as cross-linking or coating for performance improvement [108]. As a countermeasure, Rafieian et al. [109] proposed

• number of adsorption sites on the surface, improve mechanical properties, enhance hydrophilicity and wettability, and stabilize nanofibers in aqueous solutions [156]. Numerous techniques have been developed to modify the surface properties of electrospun nanofibers, including surface graft polymerization

Recent advances in photothermal nanomaterials for ophthalmic applications

• Jiayuan Zhuang,
• Linhui Jia,
• Chenghao Li,
• Rui Yang,
• Jiapeng Wang,
• Wen-an Wang,
• Heng Zhou and
• Xiangxia Luo

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 195–215, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.16

• the dielectric environment present during their synthesis (see below in Figure 2b) [48][49]. Because of the direct occurrence of photothermal conversion on the surfaces of LSPR metals and its rapid nature, combined with the metals’ inherent high thermal conductivity and strong hydrophilicity, LSPR

TiO₂ immobilized on 2D mordenite: effect of hydrolysis conditions on structural, textural, and optical characteristics of the nanocomposites

• Marina G. Shelyapina,
• Rosario Isidro Yocupicio-Gaxiola,
• Gleb A. Valkovsky and
• Vitalii Petranovskii

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 128–140, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.12

• /hydrophobic properties than the samples hydrolyzed in pure water. It is known that the hydrophilicity of TiO2 depends on the crystalline phase and surface composition, but not on the size [43]. Moreover, it was found that introduction of TiO2 into an amorphous siliceous matrix increases the hydrophilicity of

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

• such as iron and gold [4][5]. Each material is chosen for its unique properties, such as size, hydrophilicity, and charge, that make it suitable for acting as a drug carrier. NCs can be functionalized on their surface to improve the stability and solubility of high-payload encapsulated cargos, promote

Synthesis, characterization and anticancer effect of doxorubicin-loaded dual stimuli-responsive smart nanopolymers

• Ömür Acet,
• Pavel Kirsanov,
• Burcu Önal Acet,
• Inessa Halets-Bui,
• Dzmitry Shcharbin,
• Şeyda Ceylan Cömert and
• Mehmet Odabaşı

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1189–1196, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.96

• , high stability, low toxicity, modifiable hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, and the possibility of surface functionalization for targeted localization. Polymeric nanoparticles are a versatile approach to drug delivery (DD) with the potential to circumvent barriers associated with negative impacts on

Recent updates in applications of nanomedicine for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis

• Damai Ria Setyawati,
• Fransiska Christydira Sekaringtyas,
• Riyona Desvy Pratiwi,
• A’liyatur Rosyidah,
• Rohimmahtunnissa Azhar,
• Nunik Gustini,
• Gita Syahputra,
• Idah Rosidah,
• Etik Mardliyati,
• Tarwadi and
• Sjaikhurrizal El Muttaqien

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1105–1116, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.89

• hydrophilicity [25]. For instance, the passive liver targeting strategy highly depends on the size of nanocarriers as the endothelial fenestrations of liver sinusoids span approximately 50–200 nm in diameter (Figure 2a). In their study, Hirn and co-workers revealed that 50% of small gold NPs (around 1.4 nm) were

• binding to the scavenger receptors on the surface of Kupffer cells and LSECs, leading to the improved uptake by these cell types [34][35]. Another intrinsic property that dictates the uptake pathway of the nanocarriers by liver cells is hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity. Increased hydrophilicity via

• decoration with polyethylene glycol (PEG) may minimalize the uptake of nanocarriers by Kupffer cells, and such PEGylated nanocarriers are likely taken up by hepatocytes [36][37][38][39]. Besides augmenting hydrophilicity through PEGylation, stealth properties could be endowed to the nanocarriers through a

Electrospun nanofibers: building blocks for the repair of bone tissue

• Tuğrul Mert Serim,
• Gülin Amasya,
• Tuğba Eren-Böncü,
• Ceyda Tuba Şengel-Türk and
• Ayşe Nurten Özdemir

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 941–953, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.77

• polymer and drug, (iii) hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of polymer and drug, (iv) properties of additives, (v) morphology of the system (e.g., porosity), and (vi) drug loading [4]. The aim of nanofiber production may be to provide the release of active material with zeroth-order kinetics after the burst

• [33]. In addition, given their compatibility with various active molecules, the polymers are the most essential formulation components in providing long-term controlled release of drugs. Biodegradability, biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties of polymers are important criteria

Exploring surface charge dynamics: implications for AFM height measurements in 2D materials

• Mario Navarro-Rodriguez,
• Andres M. Somoza and
• Elisa Palacios-Lidon

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 767–780, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.64

• system’s energy and, thus, reduce the amplitude, or (iii) a combination of both. Operating in this mode, erroneous height measurements derived from topography images are then attributed to local variations of hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity, which affect the dissipative capillary forces between tip and

• -deposited on an insulating substrate. Measurements on these two materials, which exhibit very different properties in terms of hydrophilicity and conductivity, allowed us to clarify the most relevant factors of the problem and how they affect the apparent height measured with AM-AFM. This has enabled us to

• ethanol and MQ water. Subsequently, the substrate was exposed to UV/ozone for 15 min to eliminate organic contaminants and promote the hydrophilicity of the SiO2 surface. GO (Graphenea), was employed without further treatment, while rGO was obtained through chemical reduction using hydrazine hydrate (50

Fabrication of nanocrystal forms of ᴅ-cycloserine and their application for transdermal and enteric drug delivery systems

• Hsuan-Ang Tsai,
• Tsai-Miao Shih,
• Theodore Tsai,
• Jhe-Wei Hu,
• Yi-An Lai,
• Jui-Fu Hsiao and
• Guochuan Emil Tsai

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 465–474, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.42

• of drugs. Aqueous solution or mixed emulsion solution of DCS were not appropriate formulations for penetrating the Franz diffusion system due to their high hydrophilicity. We found a suitable hydrophobic composition to overcome this barrier. In addition, it has been reported that nanoparticles with a

Classification and application of metal-based nanoantioxidants in medicine and healthcare

• Nguyen Nhat Nam,
• Nguyen Khoi Song Tran,
• Tan Tai Nguyen,
• Nguyen Ngoc Trai,
• Nguyen Phuong Thuy,
• Hoang Dang Khoa Do,
• Nhu Hoa Thi Tran and
• Kieu The Loan Trinh

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 396–415, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.36

• generating silver nanoparticles from silver ions, whereas hyaluronic acid enhanced hydrophilicity and strain activities. To enhance wound repair, metal or metal oxide-based nanoantioxidants can be conjugated with miRNA146a. Because of the capability of miRNA146a to downregulate IL-6 and IL-8 expression, this

Modification of graphene oxide and its effect on properties of natural rubber/graphene oxide nanocomposites

• Nghiem Thi Thuong,
• Le Dinh Quang,
• Vu Quoc Cuong,
• Cao Hong Ha,
• Nguyen Ba Lam and
• Seiichi Kawahara

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 168–179, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.16

• distilled water that was dropped onto GO and GO-VTES surfaces. The value of the contact angle elucidates the hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity of the surface. The higher the contact angle, the higher the hydrophobicity. The contact angle of GO is about 67°, and those of GO-VTES(a) and GO-VTES(b) are 91 and

• 80°, respectively. The excellent hydrophilicity of GO may be due to various hydrophilic functional groups (i.e., hydroxyl group, carboxyl group, and epoxy group) that exist on the GO surface. However, after modification with VTES, the contact angle increased. This suggests that the formation of

Berberine-loaded polylactic acid nanofiber scaffold as a drug delivery system: The relationship between chemical characteristics, drug-release behavior, and antibacterial efficiency

• Le Thi Le,
• Hue Thi Nguyen,
• Liem Thanh Nguyen,
• Huy Quang Tran and
• Thuy Thi Thu Nguyen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 71–82, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.7

• aqueous medium quickly diffused and dissolved the BBR molecules embedded on the surface of nanofibers due to their higher hydrophilicity. (2’) The BBR molecules were continuously released thanks to the high concentration of BBR located near the surface of PLA nanofibers. As a result, pores could be formed