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

• climates represent a promising direction for future trials. 7 Ecotoxicological impact and risk assessment MP pollution of high-altitude ecosystems is a new issue with significant ecological and health effects. Because of low temperature, high levels of UV irradiation, and slow biodegradation rates, MPs

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

• . Persistent materials raise concerns regarding long-term accumulation and potential toxicity, whereas those susceptible to enzymatic or oxidative degradation offer safer clearance pathways. Recent studies have shown that CNOs can undergo biodegradation upon exposure to human myeloperoxidase, horseradish

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

• mechanical strength, assist in managing wound exudates, and maintain a moist wound bed. Its properties can also be tailored through blends with different forms of PLA or other biopolymers to achieve desired tensile strength, release profiles, or biodegradation characteristics [24][25]. The growing commercial

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

• suitability for safe and effective oral nanoparticle delivery [44][51][56]. 3 Polymers and their absorption mechanisms in the body 3.1 Physical properties of polymers and their relationship with biodegradation in the body Analyzing the Greek etymology of the word “polymer” provides insight into its definition

• ]. The intrinsic characteristics of polymers influence biodegradation and drug release behavior. Parameters such as crystallinity, glass transition temperature (Tg), solubility, and molecular weight affect the polymer matrix and the behavior of incorporated molecules. This is because each polymer has

• unique spatial attributes, with monomeric structures and functional groups, hydrophobic or hydrophilic, that determine its properties [60]. The nature of monomers correlates with polymer crystallinity, which, in turn, defines mechanical strength, swelling, hydrolysis, and biodegradation rates

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

• biotechnology have further enabled the development of genetically modified organisms to enhance MP degradation. However, a significant concern with microbial biodegradation is the potential ecological impact of introducing these organisms into non-native environments, which may lead to unforeseen consequences

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

• transient systems must be optimized to balance electrical performance, biodegradation kinetics, and mechanical integrity. Moreover, to transcend basic sensing and stimulation functions, and to enable capabilities such as computation, memory, and autonomous decision-making, the development of high

• environmental cues [37][40][41]. Perspective Expanding the material palette for biodegradable electronics The elucidation and experimental validation of the biodegradation mechanism of single-crystalline silicon [14][42][43][44] marked a significant turning point in the development of bioresorbable electronics

• and the presence of specific ions, such as hydrogen phosphate and chloride (HPO42− and Cl−) [43] are known to accelerate the degradation process. The biodegradation rate of silicon is also influenced by its crystallographic structure. Polycrystalline silicon degrades faster than single-crystalline

Better together: biomimetic nanomedicines for high performance tumor therapy

• Imran Shair Mohammad,
• Gizem Kursunluoglu,
• Anup Kumar Patel,
• Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq,
• Cansu Umran Tunc,
• Dilek Kanarya,
• Mubashar Rehman,
• Omer Aydin and
• Yin Lifang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1246–1276, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.92

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

• strength, thermal stability, and biodegradability. However, to broaden its range of applications, certain properties require enhancement, including mechanical performance, thermal and electrical conductivity, biodegradation rate, and barrier properties [1][2][3][4][5]. The limited biodegradability of PBS

• nanocomposites in semi-rigid packaging and functional components requiring reduced friction. Future research should explore a broader range of CNT concentrations and assess their direct impact on biodegradation behavior. Experimental Materials BioPBS™ FZ91PM, purchased from PTT MCC Biochem Company Limited

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

• response, is extensively investigated by addressing its molecular structure, composition, and medical uses. PU is a candidate for potential biomedical applications because of its strength, flexibility, biocompatibility, cell-adhesive properties, and high resistance to biodegradation. PU combined with silk

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

• environment because it mitigates the long-term effects of PVA waste on ecosystems. Research on PVA biodegradation further supports its status as an environmentally friendly polymer [65]. The mechanical properties of PVA depend on several factors, such as molecular weight and retained moisture [66]. Dry, fully

Emerging strategies in the sustainable removal of antibiotics using semiconductor-based photocatalysts

• Yunus Ahmed,
• Keya Rani Dutta,
• Parul Akhtar,
• Md. Arif Hossen,
• Md. Jahangir Alam,
• Obaid A. Alharbi,
• Hamad AlMohamadi and
• Abdul Wahab Mohammad

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 264–285, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.21

• biodegradation in an aquatic medium [24]. As a result, antibiotics have been found in different water sources from rivers to lakes, streams, and groundwater sources in many regions. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have lately arisen as very effective treatment technology that has proven to remove antibiotics

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

• in the synthesis of AuNPs or to prevent their aggregation may cause damage to DNA and cell membranes. Compared with inorganic nanomaterials, organic photothermal nanomaterials have the advantages of good biocompatibility, easy biodegradation, ease of modification, low cost, targeting, tunable light

Clays enhanced with niobium: potential in wastewater treatment and reuse as pigment with antibacterial activity

• Silvia Jaerger,
• Patricia Appelt,
• Mario Antônio Alves da Cunha,
• Fabián Ccahuana Ayma,
• Ricardo Schneider,
• Carla Bittencourt and
• Fauze Jacó Anaissi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 141–154, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.13

• oxidation, extraction, and biodegradation [4]. Unfortunately, these methods exhibit inefficiencies due to the generation of secondary pollution and high operational costs. Biological and anaerobic degradation of dyes may yield carcinogenic by-products [4][5], highlighting the significant challenge in

Entry of nanoparticles into cells and tissues: status and challenges

• Kirsten Sandvig,
• Tore Geir Iversen and
• Tore Skotland

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1017–1029, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.83

• degradable nonendogenous molecules [90]. It should be mentioned that there is not much data showing biodegradation/excretion of NPs. Iron oxide-based NPs have, however, been used as safe contrast agents for MRI for many years and have been shown to be degradable both in solutions in vitro [91] and after

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

• osteoconduction, adaptability to the target area, biodegradation, and appropriate mechanical properties, which are among the main parameters that are important in the design of polymeric bone grafts. The aim of this review is to cast light on the increasing use of nanofiber-based scaffolds in bone tissue

• target area, biodegradation, and mechanical properties, which are among the main parameters important in the design of polymeric bone grafts. Illustration of bone tissue. Schematic representation of the electrospinning process. Summary of polymer types, advantages, and limitations [32][97][98]. Examples

Nanotechnological approaches in the treatment of schistosomiasis: an overview

• Lucas Carvalho,
• Michelle Sarcinelli and
• Beatriz Patrício

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 13–25, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.2

• lipid nanoparticles (SLN) are solid lipid matrices at room and body temperature [35]. Their advantages are similar to classic nanocarriers, such as protection of labile drugs from biodegradation process, excellent excipient tolerability, and prolonged release. In addition, some disadvantages of the

Two-step single-reactor synthesis of oleic acid- or undecylenic acid-stabilized magnetic nanoparticles by thermal decomposition

• Mykhailo Nahorniak,
• Pamela Pasetto,
• Jean-Marc Greneche,
• Volodymyr Samaryk,
• Sandy Auguste,
• Anthony Rousseau,
• Nataliya Nosova and
• Serhii Varvarenko

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 11–22, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.2

• chemical and physical properties. One such area is biomedicine [1]. Especially iron oxide-based nanoparticles, due to their biodegradation, low toxicity, and enhanced oxidative resistance compared to metallic nanoparticles, show high potential in biomedical applications [2][3][4]. Up to now, iron oxide

Spindle-like MIL101(Fe) decorated with Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles for enhanced degradation of chlortetracycline under visible-light irradiation

• Chen-chen Hao,
• Fang-yan Chen,
• Kun Bian,
• Yu-bin Tang and
• Wei-long Shi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 1038–1050, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.91

• remove CTC existing in the aquatic environment. Up to now, various technologies, including adsorption, hydrolysis, and biodegradation, have been applied in the removal of pollutants from water [5][6][7][8]. Owing to the relatively complicated treatment, high cost, and possible secondary pollution, these

Bioselectivity of silk protein-based materials and their bio-inspired applications

• Hendrik Bargel,
• Vanessa T. Trossmann,
• Christoph Sommer and
• Thomas Scheibel

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 902–921, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.81

• , slow biodegradation, low immunogenicity, and non-toxicity, making them ideally suited for tissue engineering and biomedical applications. Furthermore, recombinant production technologies allow for application-specific modification to develop adjustable, bioactive materials. The present review focusses

• by extraordinary properties including excellent biocompatibility, slow biodegradation, low immunogenicity, and non-toxicity, making them ideally suited for tissue engineering and biomedical applications [105][106][107]. This review focuses on achievements made with silk-based protein materials and

An overview of microneedle applications, materials, and fabrication methods

• Zahra Faraji Rad,
• Philip D. Prewett and
• Graham J. Davies

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 1034–1046, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.77

• used to accommodate large organic molecules [39][92]. In physiological environments, porous silicon microneedles are capable of biodegradation at a rate of dissolution depending on the chemical nature of their initial surface, the acidity of the solution, and the porosity and morphology of the

Comprehensive review on ultrasound-responsive theranostic nanomaterials: mechanisms, structures and medical applications

• Sepand Tehrani Fateh,
• Lida Moradi,
• Elmira Kohan,
• Michael R. Hamblin and
• Amin Shiralizadeh Dezfuli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 808–862, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.64

Cardiomyocyte uptake mechanism of a hydroxyapatite nanoparticle mediated gene delivery system

• Hiroaki Komuro,
• Masahiro Yamazoe,
• Kosuke Nozaki,
• Akiko Nagai and
• Tetsuo Sasano

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1685–1692, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.150

• medical and dental applications, such as dental implants, orthopedics, and drug delivery systems, since it has similar elements found in bone and teeth. In addition, CaP stabilizes the nucleic acid against nuclease degradation, forms ionic interactions with the phosphates of DNA, and its biodegradation is

Influence of the magnetic nanoparticle coating on the magnetic relaxation time

• Mihaela Osaci and
• Matteo Cacciola

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1207–1216, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.105

• nanoparticles to the acidic environment of living organisms, certain structural degradation processes occur due to the corrosion of nanoparticle surfaces. This biodegradation in acidic media leads to significant changes in the nanoparticle magnetic properties over time [9]. Since the nanoparticle surfaces are

• in direct contact with blood and other tissues, a biocompatible and nontoxic coating needs to be placed around the nanoparticles to prevent biodegradation processes. The coating thickness can significantly affect the magnetic properties and the hyperthermia of the nanoparticles. The coating is

The different ways to chitosan/hyaluronic acid nanoparticles: templated vs direct complexation. Influence of particle preparation on morphology, cell uptake and silencing efficiency

• Arianna Gennari,
• Julio M. Rios de la Rosa,
• Erwin Hohn,
• Maria Pelliccia,
• Enrique Lallana,
• Roberto Donno,
• Annalisa Tirella and
• Nicola Tirelli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2594–2608, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.250

• as the cationic component in polyplexes and other drug delivery vehicles [1][2][3]. In comparison to other polycations, its main advantages are the low toxicity and its biodegradability. Biodegradation can occur both enzymatically and oxidatively [4]. A number of methods can be employed to prepare