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

• has always been closely tied to the continuous development of new and improved materials. From the earliest stages of material use, humans learned to modify the structure and composition of materials to enhance their performance and expand their applications. While chemical modifications play a key

• limitation since these materials are important for fundamental research or for applications where no bulk material is required (see below). With this new opportunity for synthesizing nanoglasses with tailored structures and tuneable properties, applications in areas such as sensing, catalysis, energy

Synthesis and characterization of RF-sputtered ZnTe/Cu_2−xTe thin films for solar cell applications

• Gerardo Arreola Jardón,
• Susana Meraz Dávila,
• Claudia Elena Pérez García,
• Aime Margarita Gutiérrez Peralta and
• Sergio Joaquín Jiménez Sandoval

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 1016–1027, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.69

• , establishing a direct relationship between phase evolution and electrical transport. These findings contribute to the understanding and development of ZnTe-derived materials for back-contact applications in CdTe solar cells. Experimental The films were grown by radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering on a

• conductive Cu-rich telluride phases. Although no device-level validation was performed, the observed structure-property relationships provide useful insight for the future development of ZnTe-derived materials intended for back-contact applications in CdTe solar cells. Chemical composition of CuZnTeO films

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

• , further diversifying its multiple applications [23]. Some studies have also shown that synthesis parameters such as the type of solvent, ultrasonic irradiation time, and the nature of the reactants used as nHA precursors, directly influence the microstructure of the resulting material [24]. Due to the

• 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

• beneficial for potential biomedical applications and leads to its consideration as a platelet-compatible biomaterial. This result is important because platelets undergo a biological activation in the presence of foreign agents in the body. This activation causes the platelets to change their shape, adhere to

Development of Protium heptaphyllum essential oil-loaded nanocapsules: experimental design and biological activity

• Debora Freitas Silva,
• Kaidy Giselle Orellana,
• Allessya Lara Dantas Formiga,
• Jin Wang,
• Eloisa Helena de Aguiar Andrade,
• Aline Collares Valente Pinheiro,
• Maria Izabel de Jesus,
• Francisco Canindé Ferreira de Luna,
• Wallax Augusto Silva Ferreira,
• Edivaldo Herculano Correa de Oliveira,
• Francisco Humberto Xavier Junior,
• Emmanuel Abraham Ho and
• Marcele Fonseca Passos

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 974–990, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.67

• healing; Introduction The biodiversity of the Amazon basin provides a vast source of natural bioactive compounds that have attracted increasing interest for their therapeutic properties and applications in pharmacology, cosmetology, and biotechnology [1][2]. Studying these compounds supports the

• better understanding of the physicochemical and biological behavior of P. heptaphyllum essential oil when nanoencapsulated. Thus, this work provides a basis for future investigations involving various applications, while fostering the sustainable valorization of Amazonian biodiversity. Results and

• . heptaphyllum oil while maintaining cell viability, supporting its potential as a candidate for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. Migration The in vitro wound healing potential of NPNC, using a scratch wound model, is illustrated in Figure 6. The results showed that exposure of HaCaT cells to NPNC

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

• -selective membranes further expand the design space, enabling customized performance for specific applications. This review systematically examines the materials employed in solid-state ion sensors, their transduction mechanisms, and analyte interactions with sensing media, while critically evaluating

• quality monitoring. Furthermore, the specific challenges associated with each class of sensing materials will be examined, followed by discussion of emerging strategies and innovative approaches to enhance their performance in water quality monitoring. Review Applications The desired properties of sensor

• +, and Mg2+ dominate salinity, affect membrane fouling, drive corrosion and scaling, and can inhibit biological nitrogen removal at elevated concentrations. In these applications, real-time cation measurements with broad dynamic ranges (from few milligrams per liter up to several tens of grams per liter

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

• , indicating dynamic microstructural evolution rather than amorphization under irradiation. These results highlight the potential of WC–WO3 nanocomposites as erosion-resistant and structurally resilient candidates for future plasma-facing applications in fusion reactors. Keywords: low energy ions; plasma

• 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

• conventionally made coarse-grained cemented carbides are mutual restraints, significantly restricting its uses and applications [17][18]. Additionally, there are other challenges of these materials in large-scale manufacturing, commercialization, and industrial applications [17][18][19][20]. Composites have

Nanocarrier strategies to overcome P-glycoprotein-mediated drug resistance in cancer therapy

• Andreina Quevedo-Enríquez,
• Katty Yi Zhang,
• Denisse Yajaira Enriquez,
• Byron Raul Inapanta,
• Roxana Noemí Peroni and
• Christian Rafael Quijia

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 882–921, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.64

• enhance therapeutic efficacy by improving solubility, stability, bioavailability, and controlled drug release. Additionally, their low toxicity, scalability, and manufacturing feasibility make them attractive for both clinical and industrial applications [44]. There are several types of LNPs, including

• the overexpression of specific receptors on cancer cells, significantly enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects on healthy tissues [60]. There are various types of liposomes designed according to their therapeutic applications. Multifunctional liposomes, for instance, can combine

• , such as lipid shells surrounding polymeric cores or polycarbonates embedded in a uniform matrix. Due to their high encapsulation efficiency, LPNs are widely used for sustained drug release in cancer therapy and for applications in medical imaging [64]. LPNs typically combine a lipid bilayer or core

He⁺ FIBID-fabricated 3D AFM tip architectures: an exploratory study of hollow pillars, helices, and spirals

• Alba Arroyo-Fructuoso,
• Ana Galet,
• Gregor Hlawacek and
• Rosa Córdoba

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 863–871, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.62

• modes has also driven the development of specialised probes for electrical [3], thermal [4], optical [5], and magnetic [6] measurements, as well as biological characteristics [7]. In all these applications, tip geometry remains a central parameter because it directly affects access to surface features

• diverse applications, including micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) [16], nanothermistors for thermal sensing [25], and electrical characterisation studies [15][17]. To mitigate carbon contamination in FEBID-grown structures, various post-deposition purification strategies have been

• developed, including both in situ and ex situ approaches [22][24][26][27][28][29][30][31]. While these methods can significantly improve material purity and functional properties, their application to AFM tips requires particular consideration. In tip-based applications, post-deposition treatments may alter

Nanoparticle delivery systems for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): advances and challenges

• Sonia Zahara and
• Björn M. Reinhard

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 839–853, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.60

• material classes have been explored for HIV PrEP applications, each offering unique advantages and limitations depending on the route of administration, duration of action, and drug type. In this review, we focus on nanoparticle delivery platforms for PrEP. To better understand the landscape of

• of drug types, and some of these nanoparticles share similarities with biological membranes. Their excellent biocompatibility and mucosal tissue affinity position them as strong candidates for mucosal PrEP applications. (3) Inorganic nanoparticles: This group covers nanoparticles from materials such

• intracellular active metabolite tenofovir (TFV) diphosphate is required to determine the true potential for LA-PrEP applications. Nevertheless, the study by Zhang et al. illustrates the potential of polymer-based, dissolving microneedles for LA-PrEP and provides opportunities for overcoming longstanding

Sustainable fabrication of 2D-based devices through reuse of substrates with microfabricated electrodes

• Ying Zhang,
• Yigit Sozen,
• Esteban Zamora-Amo,
• Thomas Pucher,
• Nuria Jiménez-Arévalo,
• Zdenek Sofer,
• Yong Xie and
• Andres Castellanos-Gomez

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 818–827, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.58

• . Keywords: 2D device fabrication; microfabricated electrode; N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone; substrate reuse; ultrasonic cleaning; Introduction Nanoscience research often needs the fabrication of proof-of-concept devices to demonstrate applications of novel nanomaterials or to study their fundamental properties [1

• and identified optimal techniques that allow for their reuse in electrochemical applications, preserving electrode performance [20]. Furthermore, Fakhr et al. explored cleaning methods for gold electrodes on diverse substrates and found that chemical treatments such as KOH and H2O2 effectively restore

• reducing material waste and enabling repeated use of substrates in epitaxial growth applications [22]. Building on these previous studies, we propose a reliable and reproducible cleaning process for reusing microfabricated substrates with pre-patterned electrodes in 2D materials research. Previous studies

Glycerol photoelectrochemical oxidation reaction at carbon nitrides/BiVO₄ materials

• Charles Garcia da Cunha,
• Isabelle M. D. Gonzaga,
• Cristian Hessel,
• Izadora F. Reis,
• Ivo F. Teixeira,
• Lucia H. Mascaro and
• Elton Sitta

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 806–817, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.57

• ; bismuth vanadate; glycerol valorization; heterojunctions; photoelectrochemistry; Introduction Hydrogen production based on sustainable and renewable energy sources (the so-called green-H2) is a promising alternative for energy storage, with potential applications in fuel cells and the chemical industry

• performance in various applications [13][14]. In contrast, crystalline carbon nitrides, namely PHI and PTI, exhibit superior molecular organization, greater stability, and enhanced functional properties. PHI is composed of heptazine units linked through nitrogen bridges, resulting in a pseudohexagonal 2D

• , unlike the neutral PCN, which enhances their interactions with various substrates and expands their potential applications. A key factor in achieving superior crystallinity of PHI and PTI is ionothermal synthesis, where the use of salts facilitates a well-ordered molecular arrangement and minimizes

Tuning the electronic properties of defect-rich MoS₂

• Eric Juriatti,
• Martina Binninger,
• Carolin Schüle,
• Maren Zirwick,
• Katarina Margetic,
• Erika Giangrisostomi,
• Marcus Scheele and
• Heiko Peisert

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 796–805, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.56

• fabrication of ultrafast photodetectors [4][5]. To tune their electronic structure for such applications, the adsorption of organic molecules is a versatile strategy [6][7], resulting, for example, in dipole-induced doping or (complex) charge transfer [8]. Photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), X-ray absorption

Restorative potential of laser-synthesized silver nanoparticles with Salvia officinalis for periodontal disease treatment: an in vitro study

• Jelena Filipović Tričković,
• Sanja Živković,
• Bojana Ilić,
• Miloš Tošić,
• Jelena Marinković,
• Ana Valenta Šobot and
• Miloš Momčilović

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 781–795, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.55

• ; silver nanoparticles (AgNPs); Introduction Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is a promising nanotechnology with numerous biomedical applications, especially in the field of tissue restoration and regeneration [1]. The most commonly used methods in AgNP synthesis are (i) chemical methods, which

• AgNPs in biomedical applications. PLAL addresses the limitations of both biosynthesis and chemical synthesis by offering a reproducible, contaminant-free method with high reproducibility and size control. Combining laser ablation of a metal target with natural compounds is a unique concept that provides

• aqueous extraction and lyophilization exhibits potent antioxidant, antigenotoxic, and immunomodulatory activities with potential applications in preventing or treating inflammatory conditions [13]. Additionally, we have shown that AgNPs synthesized by PLAL using citrate solution possess antibacterial

Substrate-dependent pore formation in molybdenum disulfide monolayers under ion irradiation

• Yossarian Liebsch,
• Umair Javed,
• Lucia Skopinski,
• Leon Daniel,
• Franziska Appel,
• Radia Rahali,
• Clara Grygiel,
• Henning Lebius,
• Carolin Frank,
• Lars Breuer,
• Leon Kirsch,
• Frieder Koch,
• Jani Kotakoski and
• Marika Schleberger

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 769–780, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.54

• formation have largely focused on suspended 2D materials [13][25][28][29], practical applications typically require the 2D material to be supported by a substrate. Direct investigation of ion-irradiated supported 2D materials, however, remains experimentally challenging for several reasons. For example

Interface-engineered Caco-2 cell culture on a collagen-coated liquid–liquid interface in a microfluidic device

• Satoru Kuriu and
• Soo Hyeon Kim

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 760–768, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.53

• attractive due to their chemical inertness, immiscibility with aqueous media, and high gas solubility [11], making them well suited for multiphase microfluidic applications. In this study, we propose a novel microfluidic cell culture system by utilizing a collagen-coated liquid–liquid interface that serves

Tailoring Ag–Pt nanoalloys through solid-state dewetting: structural and optical insights

• Marcin Łapiński,
• Piotr Okoczuk,
• Blaž Grobiša,
• Ewa Pawlikowska,
• Amelia Rozwadowska,
• Wojciech Sadowski and
• Barbara Kościelska

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 748–759, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.52

• the bulk Ag–Pt system, and provide insight into their structure–property relationships relevant for catalytic and plasmonic applications. Keywords: Ag–Pt alloy; dewetting; nanoalloys; plasmon resonance; thin films; Introduction Nanoalloys in the form of nanostructures exhibit novel and intriguing

• to be thermally activated dewetting of thin metal films deposited on glass or other substrates [9][10][11][12]. This method is noteworthy due to its cost-effectiveness, making it a compelling alternative for various applications. From a thermodynamic perspective, continuous metallic layers with

• to its high gas-absorption capacity, making it highly relevant for catalytic applications. According to phase diagrams, bulk Ag–Pt bimetallic systems exhibit a large miscibility gap at temperatures below approximately 1190 °C, allowing alloy formation only at very high atomic concentrations of either

Superconducting artificial neural networks and quantum circuits

• Anatolie S. Sidorenko

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 744–747, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.51

• useful for engineering improved qubits for quantum computation [21]. Novel microwave quantum detectors [22], ultra-high-frequency receivers [23], and terahertz-range on-chip oscillators [24] based on superconducting heterostructures demonstrate significant potential for various applications of

• the RM project (G.A. No. O2.02.01) “Nanostructures and advanced materials for applications in spintronics, thermoelectricity and optoelectronics” is gratefully acknowledged. Anatolie S. Sidorenko Chisinau, February 2026

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

• properties, making them a strong candidate for environmental applications in water, air, and soil. Indeed, various reviews are available, though a significant gap persists in addressing all environmental pollutants. This review comprehensively and critically analyses the advancement in AgNP research spanning

• applications for heavy metal immobilisation, organic pollutant degradation, plant disease management, and growth promotion are assessed alongside their ecotoxicological implications. Besides remediation, environmental monitoring capabilities of AgNP-based sensing platforms are systematically reviewed across

• the responsible, scalable application of AgNP-based technologies to address contemporary environmental challenges. Keywords: AgNPs; air application; environmental pollutants; soil applications; synthesis; water application; Review 1 Introduction Environmental pollution has intensified globally due

Molecular engineering of individual dye-based nanoparticle photostability for ultrabright two-photon fluorescence

• Eleonore Kurek,
• Sasha Cooper,
• Alexandre Clausolles,
• Karen Perronet,
• Jonathan Daniel,
• Mireille Blanchard-Desce and
• François Marquier

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 688–696, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.48

• nonlinear fluorescence microscopy and bioimaging applications. Keywords: bottom-up design; organic nanoparticles; two-photon fluorescence; two-photon microscopy; Introduction Dye-based fluorescent organic nanoparticles (dFONs) are a class of self-stabilized bioimaging probes composed solely of aggregated

• dFONs (including their colloidal stability and surface properties) can be precisely tuned through molecular engineering of specific dye building blocks [1]. dFONs have demonstrated significant potential in bioimaging applications. They have been used as biosensors for various ions [4] and thiols [5], as

• . Such insights are essential for optimizing fluorophore-based nanoparticles in nonlinear microscopy and other bioimaging applications where brightness and stability must be carefully balanced. Experimental Nanoparticle preparation The synthesis and characterization of the dyes are described in details

Protein-based custom-designed molecular nanotraps for biomedical applications

• Devid Maniglio,
• Alice Marinangeli and
• Alessandra Maria Bossi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 683–687, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.47

• recognition towards molecular targets of clinical relevance. Envisaged applications span from targeting relevant biomarkers for therapeutics, diagnostics, and in situ sensing to building high-complexity order meta-biomaterials. Keywords: bioMIPs; gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA); meta-biomaterials; molecularly

• imprinted polymers; natural polymers silk fibroin; SilMA; Introduction Molecular recognition is a cornerstone in biomedical nanotechnology; it is pivotal to applications ranging from drug delivery to sequestering and to sensing. Where traditional affinity systems, such as antibodies, fall short for

• biocompatible and non-toxic, de facto meet all the essential requirements for any intended clinical or biomedical applications, while improving sustainability [7][8]. From the concept to the practical aspects, a key question is: How should the choice of the natural biopolymer building blocks for the synthesis

afspm: A framework for manufacturer-agnostic automation in scanning probe microscopy

• Nicholas J. Sullivan,
• Julio J. Valdés,
• Kirk H. Bevan and
• Peter Grutter

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 653–667, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.45

• processes on the computer to communicate with each other; they differ from in-process communication in their generality (being language-agnostic) and their added timing delays (which could be limiting in high-frequency applications). Because this complicates scripts, some manufacturers expose a language

Cellulose as a photocatalyst support material: extraction, structural features, and environmental applications

• Yee Teng Lim,
• Nur Farhana Jaafar,
• Azizul Hakim Lahuri and
• Endang Tri Wahyuni

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 635–652, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.44

• for cellulose extraction were also explored such as acid hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, oxidation, and mechanical or solvent-based techniques. Besides that, this review highlights the role of cellulose in photocatalytic applications, where its high surface area, structural porosity, and abundance

• polymers provide distinct advantages such as renewability, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, which make them particularly valuable for biomedical applications. Among polysaccharides, cellulose is the most abundant biodegradable polymer [1]. Many researchers have reported on the extraction of

• exciting possibilities for diverse applications [6]. Extracting cellulose from waste is crucial for its effective use. Several methods exist such as acid hydrolysis [3], enzymatic hydrolysis [8], green solvent-based extraction [9], and ionic liquid treatment [10], where each method has specific advantages

Two-step laser synthesis of Ag@TiO₂ nanomaterials for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B

• Marija Kovačević,
• Miloš Tošić,
• Rafaela Radičić,
• Vladimir Rajić,
• Nikša Krstulović,
• Miloš Momčilović and
• Sanja Živković

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 622–634, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.43

• , extending light absorption toward the visible region [12] and enabling efficient activity under visible light. In sum, laser-synthesized Ag@TiO2 nanoparticles uniquely combine structural purity and optical enhancement, positioning them as superior candidates for solar-assisted photocatalytic applications

• [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Rhodamine B (RhB, Figure 1) is a synthetic fluorescent dye from the xanthene family, widely utilized across multiple industrial sectors such as textile manufacturing, papermaking, plastic processing, cosmetics, and biomedical applications, due to its vivid color

Recent progress in enhancing built-in electric fields of perovskite solar cells via junction engineering

• Tong Xiao and
• Ke Xu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 602–621, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.42

Towards targeted drugs and next generation of nanomedicines

• Anna Salvati,
• Silvia Giordani and
• Wolfgang J. Parak

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 598–601, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.41

• controls available, which were decisive for the development towards clinical use. Last but not least, the field of nanosafety/nanotoxicology has set focus on the importance of counterbalancing the benefits and risks of the use of nanomaterials for potential clinical applications. Hence, while the first

• conventional drugs, one factor which is still limiting nanomedicine efficacy is their targeting capacity, especially in applications requiring extra-hepatic delivery. In fact, upon administration, most nanomaterials are sequestered by the liver, and only a small fraction of the injected nanoparticles reaches

• , enabling targeting to either the liver, the lung, or the spleen [30]. While stimuli-responsive nanomedicines and endogenous targeting are investigated as potential new strategies to achieve targeting, other research topics focus on alternative administration routes for specific applications, such as