Current measurements in the intermittent-contact mode of atomic force microscopy using the Fourier method: a feasibility analysis

• Berkin Uluutku and
• Santiago D. Solares

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 453–465, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.37

• , regardless of the material). For example, in our experiments with conductive polymers we often observe current magnitudes on the order of tens of picoamperes in C-AFM measurements. Frequency-based, amplified data acquisition systems for measurements involving a large number of harmonics have already been

Brome mosaic virus-like particles as siRNA nanocarriers for biomedical purposes

• Alfredo Nuñez-Rivera,
• Pierrick G. J. Fournier,
• Danna L. Arellano,
• Ana G. Rodriguez-Hernandez,
• Rafael Vazquez-Duhalt and
• Ruben D. Cadena-Nava

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 372–382, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.28

• ]. The accumulation of nanoparticles in tumors, either passively or directed, is extensively documented [14]. Thus, there are multiple efforts to design nanoparticles that function as nanovehicles, mainly composed of liposomes, synthetic polymers, dendrimers, and virus-like particles (VLPs) [13][15

• the capsid [25][27]. Similarly, VLPs from the closely related cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) have been loaded with different cargos, including gold nanoparticles, negatively charged chromophores, and polymers [22]. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a promising therapeutic solution to address gene

Poly(1-vinylimidazole) polyplexes as novel therapeutic gene carriers for lung cancer therapy

• Gayathri Kandasamy,
• Elena N. Danilovtseva,
• Vadim V. Annenkov and
• Uma Maheswari Krishnan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 354–369, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.26

• attempted to investigate the DNA complexation efficiency of poly(4-vinylimidazole) polymers that also possesses low cytotoxicity and good endosomal escape properties [20]. To our knowledge, only few proof-of-concept studies have been carried out to explore the potential of PVI as a cyto-compatible gene

Interactions at the cell membrane and pathways of internalization of nano-sized materials for nanomedicine

• Valentina Francia,
• Daphne Montizaan and
• Anna Salvati

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 338–353, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.25

• to reduce protein adsorption and corona formation. This can be achieved for instance by grafting hydrophilic polymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the surface of nanomedicines, or by introducing zwitterionic modifications to make nanomaterials almost neutral [42][43][44][45]. These

Implementation of data-cube pump–probe KPFM on organic solar cells

• Benjamin Grévin,
• Olivier Bardagot and
• Renaud Demadrille

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 323–337, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.24

• presented. For a comprehensive introduction to this field, the reader may refer to [25]. Solution-processed organic solar cells [25] rely on the combination of electron donor (D) and acceptor (A) π-conjugated polymers and/or molecules that display a type-II energy offset between their highest occupied

Understanding nanoparticle flow with a new in vitro experimental and computational approach using hydrogel channels

• Armel Boutchuen,
• Dell Zimmerman,
• Abdollah Arabshahi,
• John Melnyczuk and
• Soubantika Palchoudhury

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 296–309, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.22

• reliably represent the flow and adhesion during drug delivery, it is essential to construct mimics of human vascular network. Hydrogels are unique three-dimensional (3D) networks of insoluble polymers formed from two or more hydrophilic monomers that can absorb large quantities of water. The hydrogels

• developing the soft, 3D vascular structures. Hydrogels, soft biocompatible polymers with synthetically tunable physical and chemical properties and a chemical structure capable of retaining high volumes of water similar to the extracellular microenvironments, are considered highly promising materials for 3D

Using gold nanoparticles to detect single-nucleotide polymorphisms: toward liquid biopsy

• María Sanromán Iglesias and
• Marek Grzelczak

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 263–284, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.20

• or the use of antifouling polymers such as polyethylene glycol. Finally, the availability of whole-genome sequencing as offered by recently established private companies (e.g., Veritas Genetics and Novogene) allows for the determination of hundreds of mutations from a single sample at relatively low

Rational design of block copolymer self-assemblies in photodynamic therapy

• Maxime Demazeau,
• Laure Gibot,
• Anne-Françoise Mingotaud,
• Patricia Vicendo,
• Clément Roux and
• Barbara Lonetti

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 180–212, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.15

• , regarding the block copolymers used as nanovectors for the delivery of the photosensitizer. In particular, we describe the chemical nature and structure of the block copolymers showing a very large range of existing systems, spanning from natural polymers such as proteins or polysaccharides to synthetic

• bodies and taken care of by opsonins, leading to their handling by the mononuclear phagocyte system. Carriers avoiding detection by opsonins had then to be developed and very common polymers, namely poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), were found to fulfil this requirement [6]. In

• controlled radical polymerization in the 1990’s provided polymer scientists with a range of chemical tools to synthesize polymers and copolymers exhibiting various architectures, from block and gradient to grafted polymers [7]. Designing new nanocarriers exhibiting an external shell based on PEG and a core

Size effects of graphene nanoplatelets on the properties of high-density polyethylene nanocomposites: morphological, thermal, electrical, and mechanical characterization

• Tuba Evgin,
• Alpaslan Turgut,
• Georges Hamaoui,
• Zdenko Spitalsky,
• Nicolas Horny,
• Matej Micusik,
• Mihai Chirtoc,
• Mehmet Sarikanat and
• Maria Omastova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 167–179, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.14

• electrical conductivity of 4.68 × 10−17 S/cm, which was typical for polymers. For all GnP loadings, the HDPE/G1 nanocomposites were insulating, while it could clearly be seen that at GnP concentrations higher than 5.52 vol % for G2 and 7.38 vol % for G3, respectively, the HDPE-based nanocomposites became

Internalization mechanisms of cell-penetrating peptides

• Ivana Ruseska and
• Andreas Zimmer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 101–123, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.10

A review of demodulation techniques for multifrequency atomic force microscopy

• David M. Harcombe,
• Michael G. Ruppert and
• Andrew J. Fleming

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 76–91, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.8

• theoretical foundations for determining secondary sample properties such as Young’s modulus [13][22]. Applications include the imaging of secondary properties of proteins [23] and polymers [24]. Intermodulation AFM actively drives the cantilever slightly below and above resonance with a two-tone drive

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

• Arianna Gennari Julio M. Rios de la Rosa Erwin Hohn Maria Pelliccia Enrique Lallana Roberto Donno Annalisa Tirella Nicola Tirelli Laboratory of Polymers and Biomaterials, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy NorthWest Centre for Advanced Drug Delivery (NoWCADD), School

• , typically an inorganic anion of low molecular weight, such as triphosphate (TPP) is used, while in the latter negatively charged polymers, e.g., hyaluronic acid (HA) [11][12] or alginate [13], are commonly used. HA is a particularly interesting component, since its presence allows for a reduced serum

• (1,000 kDa) completely removes soluble HA (Figure 1B, right). When analysing the particles before and after dialysis, we saw no significant difference in HA nanoparticle incorporation (always at least 80 wt % of the feed) between the two chitosan polymers of different MW or the two preparative methods

Fully amino acid-based hydrogel as potential scaffold for cell culturing and drug delivery

• Dávid Juriga,
• Evelin Sipos,
• Orsolya Hegedűs,
• Gábor Varga,
• Miklós Zrínyi,
• Krisztina S. Nagy and
• Angéla Jedlovszky-Hajdú

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2579–2593, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.249

• well as biocompatibility and biodegradability are also fundamental features of polymers developed for numerous medical applications [11][12]. Polymer hydrogels are capable of releasing physically entrapped drug molecules. The release kinetics of the loaded drug molecules depend significantly on the

• backbone determines almost all of the properties of the hydrogels. For biological applications, in general, the polymer backbone and its degradation products have to be biodegradable and biocompatible [11][23]. In contrast to many synthetic polymers, the degradation products of poly(amino acid)s, which are

• usually complicated and expensive [3]. Recently, various types of polymer-based hydrogels have been developed for purposes of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine [26]. Most of these polymers try to mimic or recreate the natural environment of the cells, namely the extracellular matrix (ECM) [27

Long-term stability and scale-up of noncovalently bound gold nanoparticle-siRNA suspensions

• Anna V. Epanchintseva,
• Julia E. Poletaeva,
• Dmitrii V. Pyshnyi,
• Elena I. Ryabchikova and
• Inna A. Pyshnaya

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2568–2578, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.248

• final nanostructures with a biomolecular shell seems quite complex because of the high lability of many proteins, polymers, and lipids. The synthesis and storage of significant quantities of core materials for multi-level nanoconstructions could be an approach to solving this problem. Therefore, we

Frontiers in pharmaceutical nanotechnology

• Matthias G. Wacker

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2538–2540, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.244

• announced the approval of a first-of-its-kind RNA interference (RNAi)-based drug, Onpattro™, which uses solid lipid nanoparticles to protect the sensitive compound from early degradation. Again, lipid materials rather than synthetic polymers have been used for drug delivery applications. In pharmaceutical

• research, the economic success of drug products is closely related to product efficacy and safety. While lipids have a solid track record of clinical safety [7][12], there are few polymers generally used for the parenteral route of administration. Further, the procedure of drug approval usually does not

Formation of metal/semiconductor Cu–Si composite nanostructures

• Natalya V. Yumozhapova,
• Andrey V. Nomoev,
• Vyacheslav V. Syzrantsev and
• Erzhena C. Khartaeva

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2497–2504, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.240

• can be oxides, noble metals, phosphates or polymers [3][4]. Compositions of materials that are immiscible in the bulk state, such as Mo–Cu [5], Ag–Si [6], Ag–Cu [7], Au–Ni [8], are of special interest. Shells can have both a smooth spherical or a polyhedral shape, can have mesopores [9] or dendrites

Self-assembly of a terbium(III) 1D coordination polymer on mica

• Quentin Evrard,
• Giuseppe Cucinotta,
• Felix Houard,
• Guillaume Calvez,
• Yan Suffren,
• Carole Daiguebonne,
• Olivier Guillou,
• Andrea Caneschi,
• Matteo Mannini and
• Kevin Bernot

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2440–2448, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.234

• few molecules maintain their characteristic physical behavior after their conversion from the bulk state into such functional materials. Coordination polymers are very suitable candidates for this purpose as they offer very robust properties as well as high processability [10] and fascinating on

• report on highly luminescent and magnetic terbium one-dimensional coordination polymers on a mica substrate with the possible formula [Tb(hfac)3·2H2O]n@mica. These deposits can be obtained from [Tb(hfac)3·2H2O]n, which is a standard precursor to build luminescent and magnetic molecules. Its high

• recall the very hydrophilic nature of freshly air-cleaved mica substrates. In [Tb(hfac)3·2H2O]n@mica, this hydrophilicity is a strong asset to stabilize H-bonded one-dimensional structures on the surface [11]. This strategy could give rise to new multifunctional lanthanide coordination polymers anchored

pH-Controlled fluorescence switching in water-dispersed polymer brushes grafted to modified boron nitride nanotubes for cellular imaging

• Saban Kalay,
• Yurij Stetsyshyn,
• Volodymyr Donchak,
• Khrystyna Harhay,
• Ostap Lishchynskyi,
• Halyna Ohar,
• Yuriy Panchenko,
• Stanislav Voronov and
• Mustafa Çulha

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2428–2439, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.233

• ][31][32][33][34]. In [35], the fluorescent CdSe quantum dots were attached to BNNT surfaces, and in [36] the halloysite nanotubes were modified with carbon dots and used for cellular imaging. Another approach is surface modification with grafted polymers bearing organic fluorophores. One of the most

• aggregates are visible on the top of the suspension and at the sides of the cuvette (Figure 1a). To confirm the chemical modification and to isolate oligoperoxide and P(AA-co-FA)-graft-functionalized BNNTs from physically adhered polymers, several cycles of centrifugation/decanting/redispersion in different

• -switchable fluorescence of the obtained BNNTs was previously described for fluorescein [46][49][51] and fluorescein-containing polymers [42][52]. Under neutral or alkaline pH values (pH 7–10), the P(AA-co-FA)-functionalized BNNTs are highly emissive, corresponding to the conjugated anionic form of

Semitransparent Sb₂S₃ thin film solar cells by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis for use in solar windows

• Jako S. Eensalu,
• Atanas Katerski,
• Erki Kärber,
• Lothar Weinhardt,
• Monika Blum,
• Clemens Heske,
• Wanli Yang,
• Ilona Oja Acik and
• Malle Krunks

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2396–2409, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.230

• nontransparent 125 nm Ag back contact [21]. TiO2 is the most commonly used electron transport material (ETM) in Sb2S3 solar cells [18][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. SnO2 and ZnO have also been employed as the planar ETM, with varying success [33][34]. Conjugated polymers, e.g., P3HT, Spiro-OMeTAD (2,2',7,7

Polyvinylpyrrolidone as additive for perovskite solar cells with water and isopropanol as solvents

• Chen Du,
• Shuo Wang,
• Xu Miao,
• Wenhai Sun,
• Yu Zhu,
• Chengyan Wang and
• Ruixin Ma

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2374–2382, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.228

• -based lead nitrate remains less than satisfactory. A common method to improve the photoelectric performance of perovskite solar cells is adding organic polymers. Jianfeng Li et al. [26][27] and Zezhou Liang et al. [28] both improved the photoelectric performance of perovskite solar cells by adding

• organic polymers. As a non-ionic polymer compound, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) shows excellent solubility and physiological compatibility and is extensively applied in medicine, food, and cosmetics, which are closely related to the health of people [29]. PVP is commonly integrated in PSCs, which is

Integration of sharp silicon nitride tips into high-speed SU8 cantilevers in a batch fabrication process

• Nahid Hosseini,
• Matthias Neuenschwander,
• Oliver Peric,
• Santiago H. Andany,
• Jonathan D. Adams and
• Georg E. Fantner

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2357–2363, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.226

• amplitude modulation AFM (HS-AM-AFM) enhanced by up to one order of magnitude due to their low mechanical quality factor (Q-factor) and hence their high mechanical bandwidth [23]. A tip made of SU8 or other structural polymers can be integrated into a polymer cantilever by moulding. Such tips have been

• prepared with acceptable radii for many imaging purposes [20]. However, the wear rate of SU8 is very high [24], which makes this and other polymers a nonideal tip material. Some attempts to coat SU8 cantilevers and tips with a more wear-resistant material (such as graphene) have been made [25], but yielded

Atomic force acoustic microscopy reveals the influence of substrate stiffness and topography on cell behavior

• Yan Liu,
• Li Li,
• Xing Chen,
• Ying Wang,
• Meng-Nan Liu,
• Jin Yan,
• Liang Cao,
• Lu Wang and
• Zuo-Bin Wang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2329–2337, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.223

• an effective tool to measure soft materials such as biomedical tissues and polymers [18]. A number of research groups have reported that the AFAM method can characterize mechanical properties of buried structures. For example, the influence of the thickness on the elastic properties of porous

Design of a nanostructured mucoadhesive system containing curcumin for buccal application: from physicochemical to biological aspects

• Sabrina Barbosa de Souza Ferreira,
• Gustavo Braga,
• Évelin Lemos Oliveira,
• Jéssica Bassi da Silva,
• Hélen Cássia Rosseto,
• Lidiane Vizioli de Castro Hoshino,
• Mauro Luciano Baesso,
• Wilker Caetano,
• Craig Murdoch,
• Helen Elizabeth Colley and
• Marcos Luciano Bruschi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2304–2328, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.222

• to different types of stimulation, during mastication, speech and swallowing, could hinder the development of drug delivery systems for this route [15][16]. In order to avoid these drawbacks, nanostructured systems with mucoadhesive polymers, such as acrylic-acid derivatives, have been investigated

• the preparation and before the pH adjustment step, due to the acidic properties of the mucoadhesive polymers [47]. Furthermore, the stability by photophysical studies of polymer blends containing 0.01% (w/w) P407, 1.6 × 10−4% (w/w) C974P and 1.8 × 10−5 mol/L CUR were spectroscopically evaluated using

Microfluidics as tool to prepare size-tunable PLGA nanoparticles with high curcumin encapsulation for efficient mucus penetration

• Nashrawan Lababidi,
• Valentin Sigal,
• Aljoscha Koenneke,
• Konrad Schwarzkopf,
• Andreas Manz and
• Marc Schneider

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2280–2293, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.220

• types of Pluronic (9400, 3100 and 6400) have directly shown aggregation (from tstart = 0 min) as obvious from the increase in size (mean diameter up to 400 nm). A considerable shift in PDI from 0.026 to 0.5 was also noticed. The findings could be correlated with the amount of PEG in the polymers, which

Nontoxic pyrite iron sulfide nanocrystals as second electron acceptor in PTB7:PC₇₁BM-based organic photovoltaic cells

• Olivia Amargós-Reyes,
• José-Luis Maldonado,
• Omar Martínez-Alvarez,
• María-Elena Nicho,
• José Santos-Cruz,
• Juan Nicasio-Collazo,
• Irving Caballero-Quintana and
• Concepción Arenas-Arrocena

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2238–2250, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.216

• in agreement with previously reported IS data of OPVs based on low band-gap polymers [34][60]. It is possible to get information about the recombination (Rrec) and series resistance (Rs), from the IS curves at low and large frequencies, respectively [34][59][60]. These parameters necessary for the