Vibration-induced dynamic structural superlubricity on MoS₂/Au(111) under ultrahigh vacuum

• Shuyu Huang,
• Yiming Song,
• Antoine Hinaut,
• Gema Navarro-Marín,
• Antonio Cammarata,
• Ernst Meyer and
• Thilo Glatzel

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 1039–1046, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.71

• dissipation and accelerate material oxidation and wear [19]. Alongside these approaches, mechanical excitation offers a distinct advantage as a universal method for friction regulation [20][21][22]. Unlike electrical approaches, mechanical actuation does not require conductive contacts and can be applied to a

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

• 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

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

• nor useful. Evaluation of 3D-printed tips after topographic characterisation The structural integrity and wear of the W–C 3D-printed tips were evaluated by SEM before AFM operation and after the first and second measurement cycles. The analysis covered all investigated nanoarchitectures together with

Probing tribological evolution in atomically thin MoS₂ at different scales

• Xingzhong Zeng and
• Miao Zhang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 586–597, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.40

• same line was obtained. The applied loads of the tip for the atomic-scale stick–slip measurement were set to 10–100 nN, and the velocities were set to 10–40 nm·s−1. To ensure data reliability, (1) AFM tip wear was excluded by measuring tip–MoS2 adhesion before and after friction test (adhesion remained

Advancing nanolithography: a comprehensive review of materials for local anodic oxidation with AFM

• Matteo Lorenzoni

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 275–291, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.19

• bridge. However, this approach increases the likelihood of tip wear and plastic deformation of the sharp AFM tip apex. An alternative involves using AFM dynamic mode [15][16], where the electric field induces the formation of the bridge that then stretches and adapts to the tip’s motion. This can be

• implemented through a dual-pass technique or by controlling the electronic and ionic contributions to the total current [17][18]. While dynamic mode LAO does not eliminate tip wear [19], it significantly reduces its impact. As new materials continue to emerge in the field of nanotechnology, this review also

• applied is fixed (i.e., tens of milliseconds) oxide size increases linearly with pulse amplitude but logarithmically with pulse width [59]. As expected, higher voltages and longer oxidation times increase oxide thickness but may lead to tip wear and reduced lateral resolution. During LAO, the tip

Micro- and nanoscale effects in biological and bioinspired materials and surfaces

• Thies H. Büscher,
• Rhainer Guillermo Ferreira,
• Manuela Rebora and
• Stanislav N. Gorb

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 214–217, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.14

• bioinspired surfaces and their tribological characteristics (friction, wear resistance, and adhesion), as well as self-cleaning and optical properties, underscoring the overarching aim of the symposium to integrate biological phenomena and materials science towards biomimetic approaches. The fruitful

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

• the analysis of the statue of Darius from Susa, in modern Iran [13]. The statue was found in Egypt in 1972, and was then transferred to Teheran, Iran. The paper by Shahrokh reveals how a combination of natural wear, such as erosion and structural stress, and anthropogenic damage, including the loss of

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

• microscopy (SEM) produces high-resolution images of particle shapes. It also indicates surface wear and tear patterns that reflect how old the MP is and how long it has been in the environment [38]. Ease of operation and minimal cost of optical microscopy make it widely used, despite being less sophisticated

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

• wear, and microbial activity [3]. Common types of MPs found in ecosystems, particularly in freshwater and drinking water sources, include materials such as high-density polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene [4]. Among the various contributors to MPs, residential households

• . In domestic sewage, MPs typically originate from personal care and cosmetic products, as well as from laundering synthetic textiles. In contrast, industrial wastewater contains MP that are largely generated through the wear and tear of larger plastic items throughout their production, usage and

• plants include plastic-based industrial effluents, synthetic textile fibres from clothing, personal care products in household wastewater, wear and tear of road tires, and discharges from textile manufacturing [9]. Table 1 lists some of the MP sources in wastewater with the corresponding concentrations

Wavelength-dependent correlation of LIPSS periodicity and laser penetration depth in stainless steel

• Nitin Chaudhary,
• Chavan Akash Naik,
• Shilpa Mangalassery,
• Jai Prakash Gautam and
• Sri Ram Gopal Naraharisetty

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1302–1315, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.95

• -enhanced Raman spectroscopy, reduction of friction and wear, fuel injection, and enhancement of tribological properties [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. Extensive research efforts have been directed toward understanding LIPSS, encompassing systematic investigations on

Influence of ion beam current on the structural, optical, and mechanical properties of TiO₂ coatings: ion beam-assisted vs conventional electron beam evaporation

• Agata Obstarczyk and
• Urszula Wawrzaszek

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1097–1112, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.81

• , adhesive, and durable TiO2 coatings with improved optical and mechanical properties, suitable for applications requiring enhanced wear resistance. Keywords: electron beam evaporation; ion beam-assisted deposition; mechanical properties; nanocrystalline anatase; optical properties; TiO2 coatings

• wavelength range of 250–1000 nm. As in our previous work [25], nanoindentation and wear resistance tests were used to determine the mechanical and tribological properties of the prepared coatings. The hardness of the prepared coatings was determined by nanoindentation using a CSM Instruments nanoindenter

• with a diamond Vickers tip. For the determination of the hardness from the load–displacement data, the Oliver and Pharr method was used [26]. Wear resistance was investigated using the Summers Optical’s Lens Coating Hardness Test Kit. In our previous work [27], the steel wool test was described and

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

• packaging, which typically require elongation at break in the range of 100–600% and Young’s modulus between 200 and 700 MPa [25]. Potential applications include stretch sleeves, flexible lids, and barrier films, where controlled deformation and improved wear resistance are desired. Rheological analysis

Synthesis and magnetic transitions of rare-earth-free Fe–Mn–Ni–Si-based compositionally complex alloys at bulk and nanoscale

• Shabbir Tahir,
• Tatiana Smoliarova,
• Carlos Doñate-Buendía,
• Michael Farle,
• Natalia Shkodich and
• Bilal Gökce

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 823–836, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.62

• ], wear resistant coatings [29], environmental [30], biomedical [31], magnetic [32] and electronic [33] technologies. In magnetic NPs, a key feature is the superparamagnetic blocked-to-superparamagnetic fluctuating transition, which occurs at a characteristic blocking temperature (TB). Below TB, NPs

Biomimetics and bioinspired surfaces: from nature to theory and applications

• Rhainer Guillermo Ferreira,
• Thies H. Büscher,
• Manuela Rebora,
• Poramate Manoonpong,
• Zhendong Dai and
• Stanislav N. Gorb

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 418–421, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.32

• understanding the biological systems and their potential as inspiration for innovation in producing biomimetic and bioinspired surfaces. Key topics included bioinspired micro- and nanostructured surfaces, and their tribological properties like friction, wear resistance, and adhesion. Discussions also addressed

Hymenoptera and biomimetic surfaces: insights and innovations

• Vinicius Marques Lopez,
• Carlo Polidori and
• Rhainer Guillermo Ferreira

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1333–1352, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.107

• of some species reduce friction and wear, inspiring the development of low-friction materials and coatings. By mimicking these natural textures, it is possible to create synthetic materials that exhibit similar friction-reducing properties, leading to significant advancements in mechanical efficiency

• and durability. For instance, low-friction coatings inspired by Hymenoptera cuticles can be applied to materials to reduce wear and tear, thereby enhancing performance, and extending the lifespan of the material. Surface roughness can have beneficial effects on the overall aerodynamic characteristics

• surfaces can prevent the wear of moving parts in devices such as hard drives and printers, ensuring longer operational life and reliability. The mechanisms behind the cuticle’s friction-reducing properties also include the ability to repel dust and contaminants, which further extends the applications of

Interface properties of nanostructured carbon-coated biological implants: an overview

• Mattia Bartoli,
• Francesca Cardano,
• Erik Piatti,
• Stefania Lettieri,
• Andrea Fin and
• Alberto Tagliaferro

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1041–1053, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.85

• materials and the possibility to further tailor them with simple chemical modifications [87][88]. Thomas et al. [89] investigated ND coatings as active surface for tuning the macrophage response to estimate the long-term inflammatory effects of wear debris. The authors investigated the effect of the ND

• , suggesting that the ND coating prevented the removal of wear debris from coated implants. The complex relation between NDs and macrophage activity can be further tuned by functionalization with short molecules as reported by Pentecost and co-workers [90], who used small amines to tune the inflammatory

• , wherein the implant bears an excessive load, consequently, causing bone resorption [132]. Coating with nanostructured carbon is a strategy to both reduce wear and improve load across the implant region. As mentioned by Zhang et al. [133], a nano- or micrometric thick layer of CNTs induced the ability of

Beyond biomimicry – next generation applications of bioinspired adhesives from microfluidics to composites

• Dan Sameoto

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 965–976, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.79

• perspective. A final example of practical products involves protective garments. Many elderly individuals wear hip protectors to guard against broken hips in the event of a fall [38]. However, these are often bulky, unattractive, and uncomfortable. If these materials could act as regular clothing that only

Effects of cutting tool geometry on material removal of a gradient nanograined CoCrNi medium entropy alloy

• Yu-Sheng Lu,
• Yu-Xuan Hung,
• Thi-Xuyen Bui and
• Te-Hua Fang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 925–940, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.76

• and partial dislocation motions in crystalline materials were examined by common neighbor analysis (CNA) of the modules in OVITO. Cutting force, shear strain distribution, von Mises stress analysis, crystal structure evolution, temperature distribution, and calculation of material wear rate were

• radius was fixed at 1 nm to analyze the surface morphology, atomic-scale wear, shear strain distribution, temperature distribution, and crystal structure evolution during cutting. Figure 2a–f shows the atoms that pile-up on the surface of the CoCrNi MEA substrates. The number of wear atoms during cutting

• cutting length increases, the number of wear atoms increases in all samples. The chips become elongated as the size of the grains increases. The sample with the grain size gradient of 15-13-10 nm exhibits the lowest number of wear atoms, while the remaining samples show similar numbers. The reason is that

The effect of age on the attachment ability of stick insects (Phasmatodea)

• Marie Grote,
• Stanislav N. Gorb and
• Thies H. Büscher

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 867–883, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.72

• sign of ageing is the loss of locomotory functions due to neuronal disorders or tissue wear. Soft and pliable attachment pads on the tarsi of insects adapt to the substrate texture to maximize their real contact area and, thereby, generate attachment during locomotion. In the majority of stick insects

• area with the substrate. Keywords: adhesion; attachment pads; friction; locomotion; morphology; material properties; wear; Introduction Ageing inexorably affects most living organisms, does not exclude insects, and makes different organs or tissues susceptible to wear or fatigue of material [1

• generally strongest for older animals. Claws were uniform in color, but claw wear was observed to vary across specimens (Figure 4E–H). In general, claw conditions ranged from fully intact (Figure 4E) to completely missing (Figure 4H). Most frequently the claw tips were broken (Figure 4F,G). The wear was

Comparative analysis of the ultrastructure and adhesive secretion pathways of different smooth attachment pads of the stick insect Medauroidea extradentata (Phasmatodea)

• Julian Thomas,
• Stanislav N. Gorb and
• Thies H. Büscher

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 612–630, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.52

• environmental conditions such as wear [76] and evaporation [44]. This enhanced resilience comes at the expense of reduced adaptability to surface irregularities. As a frictional pad, the euplantula requires increased wear resistance, prioritizing it over optimal conformability to surfaces to withstand applied

• risk of trapping contaminants in the inter-tarsomeric membranous region. The removal of particulate contaminants is very important as they are known to cause abrasive wear in the open insect joints [86]. Anti-adhesive surface structures in the periphery of the active working areas of the attachment

Quantitative wear evaluation of tips based on sharp structures

• Ke Xu and
• Houwen Leng

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 230–241, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.22

• Ke Xu Houwen Leng School of Electrical & Control Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China 10.3762/bjnano.15.22 Abstract To comprehensively study the influence of atomic force microscopy (AFM) scanning parameters on tip wear, a tip wear assessment method based on sharp

• structures is proposed. This research explored the wear of AFM tips during tapping mode and examined the effects of scanning parameters on estimated tip diameter and surface roughness. The experiment results show that the non-destructive method for measuring tip morphology is highly repeatable. Additionally

• , a set of principles for optimizing scanning parameters has been proposed. These principles consider both scanning precision and tip wear. To achieve these results, an AFM probe was used to scan sharp structures, precisely acquiring the tip morphology. Tip wear was minimized by employing lower

Determination of the radii of coated and uncoated silicon AFM sharp tips using a height calibration standard grating and a nonlinear regression function

• Perawat Boonpuek and
• Jonathan R. Felts

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 1200–1207, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.99

• mode with very light loading (0.01 nN) to prevent the tips from wear. The noise effect was not considered here, because the measurement was conducted inside the hood of a MFP-3D Origin (Asylum Research) with noise filter system. Considering the geometry of the nanostructure and the scanline signal

Spatial variations of conductivity of self-assembled monolayers of dodecanethiol on Au/mica and Au/Si substrates

• Julian Skolaut,
• Jędrzej Tepper,
• Federica Galli,
• Wulf Wulfhekel and
• Jan M. van Ruitenbeek

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 1169–1177, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.97

• study, since it measures topography and current simultaneously and reduces wear effects on the tips. Results and Discussion We divided the results obtained with the methods described above into two main sections. These are studies on (i) the bare substrates and on (ii) the DDT SAMs on these substrates

Exploring internal structures and properties of terpolymer fibers via real-space characterizations

• Michael R. Roenbeck and
• Kenneth E. Strawhecker

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 1004–1017, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.83

• . Transverse elastic modulus quantifications We present these last results as relative stiffness variations because multiple AFM tips needed to be used to survey these multiple subdomains. Monitoring tip wear is cumbersome when targeting a broad survey of different regions of multiple fibers, so the results

• nanoscale material properties of the fiber surface, though they present additional challenges versus stiffness maps that must be addressed. In particular, tip wear has to be carefully monitored to ensure that the tip radius is well characterized in each scan. Here we focused ET analysis on small fiber

• subdomains (typically 500 nm × 500 nm, ca. 1 nm/pixel) to reduce the likelihood of tip wear. In addition, subdomains were initially mapped out with “sacrificial” AFM tips, and ET distributions were only then obtained from scans with fresh, well-characterized AFM tips. In quantitative scans, the shape of each

Characterisation of a micrometer-scale active plasmonic element by means of complementary computational and experimental methods

• Ciarán Barron,
• Giulia Di Fazio,
• Samuel Kenny,
• Silas O’Toole,
• Robin O’Reilly and
• Dominic Zerulla

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 110–122, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.12

• nanomechanical operations such as lithography and machining. The high spring constant of this cantilever has the advantage of minimising the unwanted deflection of the cantilever resulting from electrostatic interaction of the potential on the surface and the probe. The tip is constructed from wear-resistant