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

• safe for the environment. Photocatalysis produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which attack polymer chains and cause oxidative cleavage. Studies have shown that, under ideal circumstances, this process is quite successful in degrading polymers such as PS [74]. Bionanomaterials, which are composite

• , attack the polymer chains of MPs. They either break the chains into smaller pieces or mineralize them into CO2 and water. A lot of research is being done on the photocatalytic properties of nanomaterials like TiO2, graphene oxide (GO), and ZnO. An excellent material for breaking down MPs in water systems

Molecular and mechanical insights into gecko seta adhesion: multiscale simulations combining molecular dynamics and the finite element method

• Yash Jain,
• Saeed Norouzi,
• Tobias Materzok,
• Stanislav N. Gorb and
• Florian Müller-Plathe

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2055–2076, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.141

• step, ΔtMD, the number of MD steps per iteration, nMD, and the number of iterations per load step, niter: Using this time and the imposed strain per load step εls, the pull-off velocity is set as In our previous work [46][47][48][49][50] on bulk polymer models, we found that prescribing a displacement

• of around 0.004–0.1% of the system size per load step was effective. For our seta model, a 1 nm displacement is 0.004% of the initial height. Furthermore, a parameter study for our polymer models [47] showed that should be small enough (50–100% of a polymer bond length) to avoid a excessively large

• /s. For a displacement (εls) of 1 nm and a velocity () of 0.7 m/s, our load step time (Δtls) then corresponded to 1.4 ns according to Equation 11. The parameter study for our previous multiscale polymer models [47] showed that such an approach, in general, is robust with respect to the number of

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

• 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

• process variables, such as high voltage, flow rate, and the distance from the Taylor cone to the collector, which significantly impacts nanofiber morphology [17]. Furthermore, selection of the material to be electrospun is crucial, requiring control over key attributes such as molecular weight, polymer

• concentration, surface tension, conductivity, and solvent volatility, alongside careful consideration of electrospinning conditions, such as temperature and humidity [18][19]. The polymer selection of nanofibers intended for biomedical applications must prioritize not only mechanical strength, controlled

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

• Flory radius (RPEG) of PEG and the interchain distance (D). According to polymer scaling theory, when D exceeds twice RF (D > 2RPEG), chains exist as isolated mushrooms with minimal overlap, enabling protein penetration to the nanoparticle surface. Experimental validation using quartz crystal

• below 0.2 in pSar55 polymer-incorporated LNP. Moreover, this reduced antibody binding was found to be pSar-unit-dependent. It was observed that pSar with 10 and 15 units provided only partial reduction, while the 55-unit pSar showed nearly complete suppression of antibody binding. Although not further

• lower than anti-PEG IgM during the repeated administrations. While it is argued that PEG alternatives may still elicit immune recognition through other pathways, this analysis is insightful to support that DMG-PEOZ2k lipid induces a markedly milder IgM response. Notably, this reduction in anti-polymer

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

• modified to interact with different polymer compositions of MPs, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). The main mechanisms of MP removal depend on their structural and chemical properties, as shown in Figure 2 [50][51][52]. Many studies have been conducted to clarify the

• depends on polymer type and particle size. In contrast, nanomaterials show higher and more significant removal efficiency, in some cases exceeding 99%. Particularly, multifunctional materials (e.g., Fe3O4@PDA-lipase nanoparticles or MOFs) combine adsorption, magnetic recovery, and even catalytic

Further insights into the thermodynamics of linear carbon chains for temperatures ranging from 13 to 300 K

• Alexandre Rocha Paschoal,
• Thiago Alves de Moura,
• Juan S. Rodríguez-Hernández,
• Carlos William de Araujo Paschoal,
• Yoong Ahm Kim,
• Morinobu Endo and
• Paulo T. Araujo

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1818–1825, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.125

• , Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, USA Departamento de Ensino, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Ceará (IFCE), 62580-000, Acarau, Ceara, Brazil Department of Polymer Engineering, School of Polymer Science and Engineering, and Alan G. MacDiarmid Energy Research Institute, Chonnam National

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

• multifunctional behavior of polymer systems. Keywords: ERDA; graphene oxide; ion implantation; photocatalysis; polyimide; RBS; Introduction Silver ion implantation is an effective strategy for controlling modification of the physicochemical properties of polymers and graphene-based materials. This method allows

• for the precise introduction of implanted atoms into the surface layers without the need for subsequent chemical modification, thus opening new possibilities in the development of functional thin films. In this study, Ag ions were used to modify polymer matrices to improve chemical and electronic

• controlled modification of the electrical properties of dielectric and semiconducting materials [7]. When Ag ions are implanted into polymer substrates, such as polyimide (PI) or graphene oxide (GO), fundamental changes occur at the molecular and electronic levels, leading to a significant decrease in the

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

• developing diverse nanocarriers for oral applications, and this review provides a valuable theoretical foundation for understanding the strategies currently employed in this field. Keywords: drug delivery; nanoparticle; oral administration; polymer; polymeric nanoparticle; Review 1 Introduction The oral

• . Therefore, different polymer surfaces impact the NPs’ fate in the GIT in a different way [20]. Polymers are classified as either natural, derived from natural products, or synthetic, chemically synthesized from monomers. Examples of natural polymers include chitosan, alginate, and hyaluronic acid. Synthetic

• (Figure 2A), resulting in a uniform dispersion of active compounds within the polymer [29][30]. The encapsulation of drugs in nanocapsules and nanospheres correlates with their biopharmaceutical characteristics, which are directly linked to oral absorption. Amidon et al. [31], through studies correlating

Prospects of nanotechnology and natural products for cancer and immunotherapy

• Jan Filipe Andrade Santos,
• Marcela Bernardes Brasileiro,
• Pamela Danielle Cavalcante Barreto,
• Ligiane Aranha Rocha and
• José Adão Carvalho Nascimento Júnior

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1644–1667, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.116

• , cellular absorption, and slow release of drugs [38]. Polymeric nanoparticles are colloidal polymer systems used as drug carriers for targeted therapies and diagnostics [39]. Gold nanoparticles have properties such as chemical reactivity, anti-inflammatory effects, and protein-binding abilities, while

Venom-loaded cationic-functionalized poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles for serum production against Tityus serrulatus scorpion

• Philippe de Castro Mesquita,
• Karla Samara Rocha Soares,
• Manoela Torres-Rêgo,
• Emanuell dos Santos-Silva,
• Mariana Farias Alves-Silva,
• Alianda Maira Cornélio,
• Matheus de Freitas Fernandes-Pedrosa and
• Arnóbio Antônio da Silva-Júnior

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1633–1643, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.115

• -loaded PLA nanoparticles were fabricated by nanoprecipitation methods. In this technique, the PLA nanoparticles (NPs) were produced by low-energy solvent displacement and functionalized with polyethylenimine (cationic polymer) for the T. serrulatus protein adsorption. The NPs showed a mean diameter of

• nanoparticles was functionalized with PEI, a hydrophilic polymer that provides a positive surface charge. This modification enhances high macromolecule loading or improves the cell interaction and cellular uptake [22][33][34]. The cationic character induces biomolecules with negative charges, such as proteins

• a certain advantage over the polymer, and it is responsible for the nanoparticle cationic character, ensuring binding of venom proteins. Similar results were obtained using the ionic affinity interaction to bind negatively charged proteins of the T. serrulatus scorpion venom to the amine groups of

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

• oxidation mechanisms. These processes generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) through methods such as photocatalysis, ozonation, and electrochemical activation, which effectively break down the polymer chains of MPs, leading to their mineralization. The primary AOP techniques used for removing MPs from water

• radicals attack weak points in the polymer chains, typically structural flaws or chromophoric sites. This attack generates low-molecular-weight alkyl radicals within polyethylene. These reactive species then trigger various transformations, including chain cleavage, branching, crosslinking, and oxidation

• . Interaction with oxygen forms peroxy radicals, which extract hydrogen atoms from the polymer backbone, creating hydroperoxide intermediates. These intermediates break down into alkoxy radicals, which further react to produce carbonyl and vinyl groups, markers of advanced photo-oxidation. The presence of these

Bioinspired polypropylene-based functionally graded materials and metamaterials modeling the mistletoe–host interface

• Lina M. Rojas González,
• Naeim Ghavidelnia,
• Christoph Eberl and
• Max D. Mylo

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1592–1606, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.113

• -reinforced polypropylene and exhibits a continuously graded mistletoe-inspired V-shaped interface. Microtomographic analyses quantified the gradual transition of the glass fiber content along one specimen from 0 to 30%, further revealing the random fiber orientation in the polymer matrix. Tensile tests

• control [38]. However, their work is limited to bimaterial structures, and they are unable to produce continuous graduated materials due to limitations in their manufacturing method. This study aims to establish a polymer-based hot-compression FGM material system that overcomes the limitations of additive

• moduli are manufacturer’s data and were obtained by testing injection molded specimens. The polymer blends were extruded using a co-rotating twin-screw microcompounder (XPlore 15 mL, Sittard, Netherlands) at a screw speed of 120 rpm, a barrel temperature of 200 °C and a processing time of 90 s. Five

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

• discourse, it has long been recognized in several application domains. For instance, biodegradable polymer-based materials have been extensively explored as environmentally benign alternatives that do not leave persistent residues [4]. Similarly, in the realm of implantable medical devices, efforts have

• mechanical flexibility of bioresorbable polymers have emerged as a representative form of transient electronics [14]. A typical example includes devices that integrate inorganic silicon nanomembranes or metal oxide semiconductors on bioresorbable polymer substrates such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA

• ) or silk, enabling implantable sensors, stimulators, or power harvesters that degrade harmlessly after use. For simple sensor devices, direct deposition of inorganic materials onto bioresorbable polymer substrates using shadow masks has been employed [14][48][63][64]. For example, conductive materials

Dendrimer-modified carbon nanotubes for the removal and recovery of heavy metal ions from water

• Thao Quynh Ngan Tran,
• Huu Trung Nguyen,
• Subodh Kumar and
• Xuan Thang Cao

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1522–1532, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.107

• In this study, we successfully functionalized MA onto the surface of CNTs via Diels–Alder reaction, utilizing a DES as a catalytic medium. This functionalization provided a facile platform for further successive reactions of EDA and MA to grow multibranched polymer networks. Dendrimerized CNTs were

Cross-reactivities in conjugation reactions involving iron oxide nanoparticles

• Shoronia N. Cross,
• Katalin V. Korpany,
• Hanine Zakaria and
• Amy Szuchmacher Blum

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1504–1521, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.106

• other IONP preparations. A thick polymer shell may protect the IONPs from these cross-reactivities, but this also significantly increases their hydrodynamic diameter, which may not be favorable, depending on the application. Regardless, proper controls should be performed and reported to rule out the

Nanomaterials for biomedical applications

• Iqra Zainab,
• Zohra Naseem,
• Syeda Rubab Batool,
• Filippo Pierini,
• Seda Kizilel and
• Muhammad Anwaar Nazeer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1499–1503, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.105

• recent years, the scientific community has started focusing on what nanocomposites potentially offer. Binding nanoparticles along with biomaterials enhances their strength, flexibility, and durability. For example, adding hydroxyapatite nanoparticles to a polymer can improve bone compatibility, making it

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

The role of biochar in combating microplastic pollution: a bibliometric analysis in environmental contexts

• Tuan Minh Truong Dang,
• Thao Thu Thi Huynh,
• Guo-Ping Chang-Chien and
• Ha Manh Bui

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1401–1416, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.102

• ecological pollution in agricultural soils [7]. In contrast, wastewater systems in Oman exhibited polymer indices ranging from moderate to extreme danger, emphasizing the need for enhanced MP removal technologies [12]. These findings highlight the pervasive nature of MP contamination across terrestrial and

Parylene-coated platinum nanowire electrodes for biomolecular sensing applications

• Chao Liu,
• Peker Milas,
• Michael G. Spencer and
• Birol Ozturk

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1392–1400, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.101

• stability of metal nanoparticles limits their application in biological systems and decreases their performance [12]. Other materials like silicon quantum dots, ion-imprinted polymer, and hydrogels have unique biocompatibility and specificity advantages, but long-term stability and cost make them

• structures [18][19][20][21]. These characteristics allow DENA to create a variety of structures for nanoscale biosensor manufacturing. Parylene-C is a polymer known for its exceptional properties, including high tensile strength, excellent electrical insulation, low water permeability, and biocompatibility

• , which can be coated with parylene-C polymer and the tip can be exposed by a focused laser beam. An electrochemical copper deposition test was performed to verify that the platinum electrode was fully exposed after evaporation of the parylene-C polymer at the tip. The test also demonstrated that the

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

• for antibacterial purposes are diverse and include metallic silver, silver salts, and composites of Ag with other materials. The integration of nanotechnology with Ag, particularly when incorporated into polymer membranes, has demonstrated significant potential for enhancing membrane performance. CTA

• images, along with high-magnification views, reveal a dense, compact structure indicative of high polymer packing density (Figure 4b). The application of the PDA coating results in uniformly sized, densely packed spheres that adhere uniformly to the CTA membrane’s surface, providing active sites for

Enhancing the therapeutical potential of metalloantibiotics using nano-based delivery systems

• Alejandro Llamedo,
• Marina Cano,
• Raquel G. Soengas and
• Francisco J. García-Alonso

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1350–1366, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.98

• , studies have demonstrated that mannose receptor-targeted rifampicin delivery through solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) can be effectively applied to the treatment of infections, highlighting the role of polymer-based systems in enhancing drug delivery to macrophages [53]. Both passive and active targeting

• , combining high biocompatibility, prolonged release properties, and the capacity to encapsulate a diverse range of therapeutic agents. Ongoing research efforts are focused on overcoming existing limitations to fully realize the clinical potential of SLNs [76]. Polymer nanoparticles. Polymeric nanoparticles

• ]. The most common forms of polymeric NPs include nanocapsules, which have a polymeric membrane enclosing the drug payload, and nanospheres, consisting of a solid polymer matrix. Among these, polymersomes and dendrimers are notable types of polymeric NPs [78]. Polymersomes, made from amphiphilic block

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

• release behavior, targeting ability, and surface modifications [12][13][14][15]. A variety of nanoparticles have been researched including liposomes, polymer NPs, solid lipid NPs, and hybrid NPs [16]. Nanoscale drug carriers with the advantage of high penetration, long circulation, and significant

Functional bio-packaging enhanced with nanocellulose from rice straw and cinnamon essential oil Pickering emulsion for fruit preservation

• Tuyen B. Ly,
• Duong D. T. Nguyen,
• Hieu D. Nguyen,
• Yen T. H. Nguyen,
• Bup T. A. Bui,
• Kien A. Le and
• Phung K. Le

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1234–1245, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.91

• develop composite materials with superior properties. Compared to other inorganic nanomaterials, nanocellulose (NC) has been noted to be a highly potential sustainable and bio-based filler that can be obtained from otherwise wasted agricultural byproducts like rice straw [11][19]. NC can enhance polymer

• the trapping effect of the polymer matrix on CEO [31]. XRD analysis (Figure 1c) shows that all biopackaging samples exhibit only large peaks at around 22° and 26°, which correspond to the (101) and (200) planes of the PVA structure [40]. It is to note that a slight peak shift to higher angles can be

• ]. Differential thermogravimetry (DTG) results (Figure 1b) revealed three distinct stages of weight loss. The first stage (30–130 °C) was attributed to water evaporation, consistent with the hydrophilic nature of PVA [41]. The second stage (260–380 °C) involved polymer chain degradation and volatile compound

Hydrogels and nanogels: effectiveness in dermal applications

• Jéssica da Cruz Ludwig,
• Diana Fortkamp Grigoletto,
• Daniele Fernanda Renzi,
• Wolf-Rainer Abraham,
• Daniel de Paula and
• Najeh Maissar Khalil

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1216–1233, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.90

• pathophysiological processes through the incorporation of drugs for enhancing skin permeation brings out promising prospects for innovation which may arise in the drug delivery field. Keywords: cross-linking; drug delivery; formulation; nanogel; polymer; Introduction The systematic study of gels began in the mid

• application of hydrogels and nanogels as DDSs are particularly addressed. Review Preparation of hydrogels Cross-linking, one of the main techniques for hydrogel formation, is the process of linking polymer chains by covalent or noncovalent bonds, forming tridimensional networks [43][44]. Polymers can be intra

• stimuli such as heating/cooling [45][46]. Polymer chemical cross-linking can be performed by the formation of a network structure from monomers by polymerization or post-cross-linking of linear polymers with a cross-linking agent. Examples of chemical cross-linking methods are covalent bonding between

Investigation of the solubility of protoporphyrin IX in aqueous and hydroalcoholic solvent systems

• Michelly de Sá Matsuoka,
• Giovanna Carla Cadini Ruiz,
• Marcos Luciano Bruschi and
• Jéssica Bassi da Silva

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1209–1215, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.89

• concentration gradients, while the micellar structure remains intact throughout the dissolution process [25]. The kinetic constant (k) was elevated for all the systems, although polymer, temperature, and the solvent properties may influence this parameter. Overall, the water + P407 system demonstrated the most