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

• [59]; also, there are varnishes against graffiti vandalism [60]. In Table 1, different types of heritage mineral-based substrates, along with the base materials of the successfully applied coatings, the resulting functional properties, and the respective ICOM criteria (transparency “Tr”, stability “St

• fabrication. Thus, using the ICOM nomenclature, and accordingly to the reported results, the hydroxyapatite–polyelectrolyte multilayer system fulfils several key conservation criteria. It provides optical transparency with minimal alteration of the substrate’s appearance, demonstrates high chemical stability

• ). The experimental coatings exhibited superior durability, being able to provide oleo/hydrophobic and anti-graffiti properties, also withstanding the action of bird excreta. Regarding the ICOM criteria, both studies demonstrate that the criteria of transparency and stability are satisfactorily achieved

Subdigital integumentary microstructure in Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkota): do those lineages with incipiently expressed toepads exclusively exhibit adhesive setae?

• Philipp Ginal,
• Yannick Ecker,
• Timothy Higham,
• L. Lee Grismer,
• Benjamin Wipfler,
• Dennis Rödder,
• Anthony Russell and
• Jendrian Riedel

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 38–56, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.4

• habitats, in contrast, can vary considerably in roughness and stability of the substrate (e.g., sandstone outcrops are generally less stable and rougher than granite boulders) [31][33][34]. However, some plant surfaces can be even rougher than saxicoline ones [30]. The questions of how a fully functional

Reduced graphene oxide paper electrode for lithium-ion cells – towards optimized thermal reduction

• Agata Pawłowska,
• Magdalena Baran,
• Stefan Marynowicz,
• Aleksandra Izabela Banasiak,
• Adrian Racki,
• Adrian Chlanda,
• Tymoteusz Ciuk,
• Marta Wolczko and
• Andrzej Budziak

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 24–37, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.3

• preparation [33] is scalable and does not require any toxic solvents, binding agents or chemicals for the reduction process. Moreover, one expects the functionalization to improve the stability and capacity of the final material. Experimental Graphene oxide paper preparation To begin with, the G-Flake

• stability of the cell’s performance was improved with increasing reduction temperature. Changes in structural properties revealed by Raman spectroscopy influenced the electrochemical properties of these materials, probably due to the decreased charge transfer resistance and balanced electronic and ionic

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

• , Leoben, Austria 10.3762/bjnano.17.1 Abstract Understanding nanoparticle adhesion to substrates is the key for their stability and performance in many applications, including energy systems, nanofabrication, catalysis, and electronic devices. In this study, we present a methodology for examining adhesion

• NPs and significantly enhancing their interfacial adhesion. Their mechanical stability was tested utilizing scanning probe microscopy nanomanipulation [12]. Another approach tested for SiO2 NPs was functionalizing their surfaces for improved adhesion on epoxy film-covered substrate surfaces [13]. In

• acting during AFM nanomanipulation [24][25][26][27]. Thus, there is little information available on the adhesion forces involved, which is critical for understanding the correlation between NPs’ positional stability and deposition conditions. In this study, we have investigated the adhesion between Cu

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

• demonstrated volumetric temperature measurements in C. elegans by combining LSFM with lipid-coated NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+ upconversion nanoparticles. The lipid coating strategy proved crucial, enhancing biocompatibility and colloidal stability while enabling precise localization of the thermal probes within the

Improving magnetic properties of Mn- and Zn-doped core–shell iron oxide nanoparticles by tuning their size

• Dounia Louaguef,
• Ghouti Medjahdi,
• Sébastien Diliberto,
• Klaus M. Seemann,
• Thomas Gries,
• Joelle Bizeau,
• Damien Mertz,
• Eric Gaffet and
• Halima Alem

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2285–2295, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.157

• core provides a strong magnetic moment and the shell enhances magnetic anisotropy and stability. Core–shell NPs offer a pathway to improving SLP, SAR, and stability under physiological conditions [13]. The core–shell configuration allows for the tuning of magnetic properties through the choice of core

Geometry-controlled engineering of the low-temperature proximity effect in normal metal–superconductor junctions

• Munisa A. Tomayeva,
• Vyacheslav D. Neverov,
• Andrey V. Krasavin,
• Alexei Vagov and
• Mihail D. Croitoru

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2265–2273, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.155

• stability of superconducting hybrid devices. For NS junctions with large positive curvature, that is, for quasi-low-dimensional structures, a robust proximity gap emerges, persisting over extended distances because of enhanced superconducting correlations. However, real systems often exhibit a soft gap in

Optical bio/chemical sensors for vitamin B₁₂ analysis in food and pharmaceuticals: state of the art, challenges, and future outlooks

• Seyed Mohammad Taghi Gharibzahedi and
• Zeynep Altintas

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2207–2244, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.153

• remarkably excellent selectivity, reproducibility, and storage stability for the SPR sensor recorded, but a strong association between the SPR sensor and LC-MS/MS findings was found [95]. Recently, Bareza et al. have reported that graphene nanostructures, which can confine mid-infrared plasmons at the

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

• century [3]. They are investigated, for example, regarding drug delivery [4], but they are also parts of actual products, for example, of sensors [5]. All this is based on the ease of synthesis, chemical stability, size tuneability, and unique optical properties [6]. The extreme dependence of the

• carbohydrates to AuNPs provides particle stability and biocompatibility and allows for studying carbohydrate-mediated interactions and designing novel carbohydrate-based antiviral agents [8][9]. From a molecular point of view, glyconanoparticles are water-soluble gold nanoclusters with a three-dimensional

• and stability in solution, in terms of hydrodynamic diameter and NP surface charge, respectively. Spectroscopy techniques were used to analyze the chemical composition of the organic ligands locally. We used FTIR for the molecular fingerprint infrared region to find the characteristic peaks of the

Missing links in nanomaterials research impacting productivity and perceptions

• Santosh K. Tiwari and
• Nannan Wang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2168–2176, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.149

• due to the inherent instability of 0D, 1D, and 2D nanomaterials [23]. That is why, in most cases, nanomaterials require a specific medium and controlled environment for stability. In the same line, due their high surface energy, large surface area, and small size, nanomaterials naturally tend to

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

• in far-ultraviolet light-emitting devices. These applications leverage h-BN’s properties like high temperature stability, electrical insulation, and chemical resistance [18][20][21]. An interesting application of multilayer h-BN is its deposition on electrode surfaces as an electron blocking layer

Quality by design optimization of microemulsions for topical delivery of Passiflora setacea seed oil

• Daniel T. Pereira,
• Douglas Dourado,
• Danielle T. Freire,
• Dayanne L. Porto,
• Cícero F. S. Aragão,
• Myla L. de Souza,
• Guilherme R. S. de Araujo,
• Ana Maria Costa,
• Wógenes N. Oliveira,
• Anne Sapin-Minet,
• Éverton N. Alencar and
• Eryvaldo Sócrates T. Egito

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2116–2131, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.146

• principles to ensure formulation performance, stability, and skin cell compatibility. Keywords: design of experiments (DoE); microemulsions; nanotechnology; natural products; passion fruit; quality by design; skin delivery; Introduction Species of the Passiflora genus are known for their rich composition

• cytotoxicity and skin irritation [8]. Furthermore, the optimization of microemulsion formulations may be time-consuming and costly, and their stability is often sensitive to environmental factors (e.g., pH, salinity, and temperature). These challenges highlight the importance of a comprehensive understanding

• for Passiflora setacea seed oil. QbD principles and experimental design methodologies were employed to guide formulation development. The microemulsion was designed to enhance physicochemical stability, improve skin application performance, and support future therapeutic applications. Results and

Rapid synthesis of highly monodisperse AgSbS₂ nanocrystals: unveiling multifaceted activities in cancer therapy, antibacterial strategies, and antioxidant defense

• Funda Ulusu,
• Adem Sarilmaz,
• Yakup Ulusu,
• Faruk Ozel and
• Mahmut Kus

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2105–2115, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.145

• in this study, it is generally accepted that the surface charge of NCs plays a critical role in their colloidal stability, dispersion behavior, and biological interactions [22][32]. In cubic cuboargyrite phase, there are 14 polyhedra with antimony and silver at the center (Figure 1c). Herein, a

• direct ROS measurement and apoptosis marker assays (e.g., Annexin V/PI staining, caspase-3 activation) will be crucial for validating and further elucidating these mechanistic pathways. The surface charge and zeta potential of AgSbS2 NCs, which strongly influence their colloidal stability and cellular

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

• , laser ablation, or electrochemical techniques, among others. These CNMs must then be thoroughly characterised to confirm their structural and physicochemical properties, including size, shape, charge, surface functionality, stability, and potential toxicity. Following characterisation, anticancer

• enhanced cellular uptake, whereas positively charged CDs elicited stronger cytokine responses [41]. Zeta potential measurements are routinely used to quantify surface charge, which can be tuned through appropriate surface functionalisation strategies. Stability is another essential aspect of NM evaluation

• 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

Multifrequency AFM integrating PeakForce tapping and higher eigenmodes for heterogeneous surface characterization

• Yanping Wei,
• Jiafeng Shen,
• Yirong Yao,
• Xuke Li,
• Ming Li and
• Peiling Ke

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2077–2085, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.142

• traditional dynamic modes, PFT eliminates the need for intricate cantilever tuning by real-time regulation of the interaction force at each scan point. This innovation not only simplifies operation but also enables high-resolution topographic imaging with exceptional stability, even in challenging

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

• fibers without the lipid core. Furthermore, maintaining ambient relative humidity below 45% proved essential for processing stability. Comprehensive morphological characterization via scanning electron microscopy confirmed the uniformity of the fibers. At the same time, confocal microscopy, cross

• membrane applications. Thermal and crystalline analyses demonstrated improved thermal stability upon NE-βCp incorporation. Collectively, these results provide robust evidence for the feasibility of producing multifunctional nanofiber membranes that successfully integrate a polymer–lipid hybrid core

• for effective pharmaceutical use, βCp is often formulated within lipid liquid dispersions, such as nanoemulsions, to enhance its stability and improve therapeutic properties [35][36][37][38]. While lipid nanosystems offer undeniable advances for the delivery of active compounds, their inherent liquid

Laser ablation in liquids for shape-tailored synthesis of nanomaterials: status and challenges

• Natalie Tarasenka

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1963–1997, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.137

• surface free energy is determined as work per unit area required for the formation of a new surface [12]. Therefore, it is a fundamental parameter that determines nanoparticle growth and stability of different particle shapes. The surface energy is dependent on a multitude of parameters, including NP size

• influencing the mechanisms of NP formation and growth at the subsequent stages of laser ablation, including the generation of shockwaves, cavitation bubble dynamics, and NP evolution after the release into the colloidal solution. The excessive charge at their surface ensures repulsion and stability of the NP

Evaluating metal-organic precursors for focused ion beam-induced deposition through solid-layer decomposition analysis

• Benedykt R. Jany,
• Katarzyna Madajska,
• Aleksandra Butrymowicz-Kubiak,
• Franciszek Krok and
• Iwona B. Szymańska

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1942–1951, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.135

• becomes the dominant process over structure growth, leading to the erosion of the formed metal-rich deposits. This threshold provides insight into the precursor’s resistance to ion bombardment and is crucial for assessing its stability and reactivity under processing conditions. (4) Collecting SEM EDX

Quantum circuits with SINIS structures

• Mikhail Tarasov,
• Mikhail Fominskii,
• Aleksandra Gunbina,
• Artem Krasilnikov,
• Maria Mansfeld,
• Dmitrii Kukushkin,
• Andrei Maruhno,
• Valeria Ievleva,
• Mikhail Strelkov,
• Daniil Zhogov,
• Konstantin Arutyunov,
• Vyacheslav Vdovin,
• Vladislav Stolyarov and
• Valerian Edelman

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1931–1941, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.134

• not very high reproducibility and stability. Another fabrication method is the Manhattan technology [28] with deep orthogonal groves in the resist, see Figure 1b,c. Both methods are based on thermal evaporation at different angles and rotation of substrate, requiring rather sophisticated and expensive

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

• nanoparticle formulation is polyethylene glycol-modified (i.e., PEGylated) lipids (PEG lipids), which can significantly influence the stability, cell interactions, and overall effectiveness of LNP delivery vehicles. This review collates insights into the role of PEG lipids in LNPs by illustrating how the PEG

• encapsulate and protect a variety of drug substances, thereby enhancing their stability and therapeutic efficacy within biological systems [1]. LNPs are currently composed of ionizable lipids, helper lipids, sterols, and polyethylene glycol-modified (i.e., PEGylated) lipids (PEG lipids); each of these

• ]. Because of these benefits, incorporating PEG lipids into LNP formulations has become a useful strategy for improving the colloidal stability of nanoparticles, facilitating their distribution throughout the body, and enhancing therapeutic effectiveness. However, this PEGylation strategy is not without

Targeting the vector of arboviruses Aedes aegypti with nanoemulsions based on essential oils: a review with focus on larvicidal and repellent properties

• Laryssa Ferreira do Nascimento Silva,
• Douglas Dourado,
• Thayse Silva Medeiros,
• Mariana Alice Gonzaga Gabú,
• Maria Cecilia Queiroga dos Santos,
• Daiane Rodrigues dos Santos,
• Mylena Lemos dos Santos,
• Gabriel Bezerra Faierstein,
• Rosângela Maria Rodrigues Barbosa and
• Fabio Rocha Formiga

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1894–1913, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.132

• biomedical applications. These include: (a) superior stability during storage compared to that of macroemulsions, attributed to their small droplet size, which prevents flocculation, creaming, and sedimentation; (b) enhanced bioavailability and improved aqueous solubility of lipophilic molecules; (c

• through a low-energy method, using polysorbate 20 as a surfactant. The formulation presented an average droplet size ranging from 244.6 to 280.4 nm, a polydispersity index of less than 0.25, and a negative zeta potential (−15.7 to −18.6 mV), maintaining stability for 14 days. In the bioassays, fourth

• to 83 nm (oil) and 167 to 230 nm (thymol), with stability of up to 60 days. In bioassays with third-instar larvae, thymol nanoemulsion demonstrated greater efficacy (LC50 = 34.89 ppm), followed by oil (LC50 = 46.73 ppm), both outperforming conventional emulsions. Electron microscopy revealed damage

Low-temperature AFM with a microwave cavity optomechanical transducer

• Ermes Scarano,
• Elisabet K. Arvidsson,
• August K. Roos,
• Erik Holmgren,
• Riccardo Borgani,
• Mats O. Tholén and
• David B. Haviland

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1873–1882, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.130

• of trace and retrace scan directions. We achieved faster imaging and improved stability with FM-AFM as shown in Figure 5. FM-AFM requires phase-sensitive detection of tip displacement using a scheme described in detail in earlier publications [35][17]. The cantilever is now driven on resonance at the

Self-assembly and adhesive properties of Pollicipes pollicipes barnacle cement protein cp19k: influence of pH and ionic strength

• Shrutika Sawant,
• Anne Marie Power and
• J. Gerard Wall

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1863–1872, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.129

• their formulation, biocompatibility, long-term stability, and clinical efficacy still require significant investigation [12][13]. Barnacles are sessile marine organisms which employ a different strategy for underwater adhesion: they secrete a multicomponent proteinaceous cement that facilitates robust

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

• bacteria, offers a sustainable alternative by leveraging natural reducing agents like polyphenols and flavonoids. These bioactive compounds not only facilitate nanoparticle formation but also improve stability and biological efficacy, making them ideal for dental applications such as caries prevention

• widely studied nanomaterials are metallic nanoparticles, particularly silver (AgNPs), gold (AuNPs), and copper (CuNPs), and various metal oxide nanoparticles such as zinc oxide (ZnO-NPs), due to their high surface-to-volume ratio, chemical stability, and distinctive optical and antimicrobial properties

• demonstrated that these nanoparticles exhibit low toxicity, effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, and strong colloidal stability, ensuring long-term dispersion [26][27]. Additionally, they exhibit antioxidant activity and selective cytotoxic effects on tumor cells, including oral cancer

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

• stability but also human health over the long term. These risks highlight the urgent need for effective strategies to mitigate MP pollution in both environmental and water supply systems. While numerous review papers have been conducted to evaluate the status of MP pollution, most of these papers have

• between 338 and 628 particles·L−1 [36]. Due to their small size and chemical stability, MPs can pass through conventional water treatment processes and infiltrate water supply systems. As reported in the study by Dalmau-Soler et al., 38% of drinking water samples from the supply network contained MPs

• in anti-fouling technologies can enhance nanomaterial reusability, reducing costs and environmental impact. Although there are problems, such as the high cost of MOFs, their low stability in powder form, and the lack of standard tests for assessing nanomaterial toxicity [117]. Additionally, the long