Defects and defect-mediated engineering of two-dimensional materials: challenges and open questions

• Arkady V. Krasheninnikov,
• Matthias Batzill,
• Anouar-Akacha Delenda,
• Marija Drndić,
• Chris Ewels,
• Katharina J. Franke,
• Mahdi Ghorbani-Asl,
• Alexander Holleitner,
• Ado Jorio,
• Ute Kaiser,
• Daria Kieczka,
• Hannu-Pekka Komsa,
• Jani Kotakoski,
• Manuel Längle,
• David Lamprecht,
• Yun Liu,
• Steven G. Louie,
• Janina Maultzsch,
• Thomas Michely,
• Katherine Milton,
• Anna Niggas,
• Hanako Okuno,
• Joshua A. Robinson,
• Marika Schleberger,
• Bruno Schuler,
• Alexander Shluger,
• Kazu Suenaga,
• Kristian S. Thygesen,
• Richard A. Wilhelm,
• E. Harriet Åhlgren and
• Carla Bittencourt

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 454–488, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.31

• experiments were able to create extended lattices of CO molecules on Cu(111), whereby, for instance, the surface-state free electron gas could be transformed into an electronic structure mimicking the one of graphene [154]. Also, precise manipulation at large scale (thousands of defects) for vacancies in a

Nanocarrier-integrated multilayer films produced by 3D printing for improved skin adhesion and curcumin photostability

• Thayse Viana de Oliveira,
• Ana Paula Farias Leão,
• Júlia Leão,
• Cesar Liberato Petzhold and
• Ruy Carlos Ruver Beck

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 440–453, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.30

• solubilisation of curcumin in these formulations. Ethanol acts as a co-solvent and can significantly influence hydrogel rheology. Specifically, the reduction in the dielectric constant of the medium promotes intermolecular interactions between polymer chains, leading to a more compact and cohesive polymer

Nanoinformatics: spanning scales, systems and solutions

• Iseult Lynch,
• Diego S. T. Martinez,
• Kunal Roy and
• Georgia Melagraki

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 423–427, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.28

• carrier for other heavy metals such as Cd, Zn, Pb, Co or Ni into the cells – a so-called Trojan Horse mechanism. Using an ensemble learning approach that implements gradient boosting and bagging algorithms, four models were developed (i.e., a random forest, AdaBoost, Gradient Boost, and Extreme Gradient

• in previous studies, demonstrating the power of ML in conjunction with periodic table descriptors to predict co-exposure effects [7]. Further extending the concept of experiment-independent periodic table descriptors, Kar and Yang introduced 3rd-generation periodic table descriptors (i.e., atomic

Biomimetic nanoparticles in cancer photodynamic therapy: a review of targeted delivery systems and therapeutic outcomes

• Valentina I. Gorbacheva,
• Alexey S. Grabovoy,
• Polina S. Marukhina,
• Anastasiia O. Syrocheva and
• Ekaterina P. Kolesova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 396–422, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.27

• ). Furthermore, biomimetic platforms can synergize PDT with immunomodulation by promoting immunogenic cell death (ICD) and checkpoint inhibitor co-delivery [14][15][16]. By leveraging biomimicry, these systems seek to overcome biological barriers, increase treatment efficacy, and reduce side effects. This review

• body’s immune response [48]. BNPs utilizing a cell membrane to coat a synthetic core were reported in 2011. These nanoparticles consisted of a poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) core coated with an outer layer derived from red blood cell (RBC) membranes [49]. It was demonstrated that the presence of

• interaction with target cells [58]. Common techniques include (i) physical co-extrusion, where nanoparticles and membranes are forced through porous membranes to form uniform coatings; (ii) sonication, which uses ultrasonic energy to induce membrane fusion and often favors correct protein orientation; and

Eco-efficient materials for agricultural crops based on a mineral rich in MOR- and HEU-type zeolites

• Esperanza Yamile de la Nuez-Pantoja,
• Inocente Rodríguez-Iznaga,
• Gerardo Rodríguez-Fuentes,
• Vitalii Petranovskii,
• Ariel Martínez García,
• José Juan Calvino Gámez and
• Daniel Goma Jiménez

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 381–395, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.26

• negative charge of the structure. As a result, these materials have important intrinsic properties such as ion exchange and adsorption [5]. These qualities allow them to retain and carry chemical species of agricultural interest, such as PO43−, NH4+, NO3−, and molecular compounds (CO(NH2)2) minimizing

Interconnection morphology effects on the radio frequency response of carbon nanotube sponges

• Manuela Scarselli,
• Javad Rezvani,
• Zeno Zuccari,
• Mattia Scagliotti and
• Simone Tocci

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 343–351, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.23

• with 5 μL of ethanol (97.7–98.5% v/v, purity > 99.9%, Sigma-Aldrich Co.) and then acquiring the response every 2 min. A field-emission scanning electron microscope Carl Zeiss Sigma 300 was used to collect images directly on the CNS samples and on the MWCNT films. Micro-Raman analysis was performed

Calculation of the dynamic stiffness of a cantilever under torsional oscillation

• Keita Nishida,
• Yuuki Yasui and
• Yoshiaki Sugimoto

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 303–308, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.21

• as it can electrically detect energy dissipations [8]. Lateral force microscopy with quartz tuning fork AFM, using a CO-terminated tip, enabled the detection of energy dissipation over the chemical bonds of a PTCDA (3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride) molecule, with a vertical decay length

Gold nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene oxide as a highly effective catalyst for the selective α,β-dehydrogenation of N-alkyl-4-piperidones

• Brenda Flore Kenyim,
• Mihir Tzalis,
• Marilyn Kaul,
• Robert Oestreich,
• Aysenur Limon,
• Chancellin Pecheu Nkepdep and
• Christoph Janiak

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 218–238, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.15

• environments, their tunable surface area and surface chemistry, and electrical conductivity [18][19]. To deposit metal NPs onto a carbon support, procedures such as adsorption or reduction–deposition (RD), co-precipitation, impregnation, and deposition precipitation (DP) are commonly employed [6][19]. Carbon

• -supported gold nanoparticles (Au/C) have been extensively studied for their remarkable selective catalytic performance in low-temperature oxidation reactions, including CO oxidation, alcohol oxidation, hydrocarbon oxidation, amino and thiol oxidation, and glucose oxidation [20]. However, despite their

• AC therefore also stems from the synergistic interfacial C–O–Au arrangements, which act as bifunctional active sites for both, electron transfer and oxygen activation. The oxygenated functional groups of rGO (–OH, C=O, –CO) (Supporting Information File 1, Figure S6) anchor and electronically couple

Time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging of contaminant species in chemical vapour deposited graphene on copper

• Barry Brennan,
• Vlad-Petru Veigang-Radulescu,
• Philipp Braeuninger-Weimer,
• Stephan Hofmann and
• Andrew J. Pollard

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 200–213, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.13

• proximity in the sample. In all cases, we see evidence of a fluorine signal co-located with the graphene-related signal from Figure 1. There is also a chlorine signal observed on all the samples, primarily in the region of the exposed substrate, evident in particular in Figure 5a,b for the BO and Ar:H2

From shield to spear: Charge-reversible nanocarriers in overcoming cancer therapy barriers

• Madhuri Yeduvaka,
• Pooja Mittal,
• Ameer Boyalakuntla,
• Usman Bee Shaik,
• Himanshu Sharma,
• Thakur Gurjeet Singh,
• Siva Nageswara Rao Gajula and
• Lakshmi Vineela Nalla

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 159–175, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.10

• drug release, and co-delivery strategies. Furthermore, their use in theranostics and promoting cellular uptake emphasises their potential in advancing personalised and more efficient cancer therapies. An overview of various CRNs employed in targeted cancer therapy is presented in Table 2, illustrating

• -functionalized GO complex was developed for targeted, controlled release of DOX, enabling selective drug release in acidic intracellular organelles for enhanced cancer treatment [78]. Wang et al. developed a pH-responsive, charge-reversible, and photo-cross-linkable polymer nanoparticle composed of [poly(VBMC-co

• -AA)] and a block of [poly(DMAEMA-co-St)] for controlled DOX release. This nanocarrier enabled pH and light-triggered release adjustments, showed effective tumour cell inhibition in vitro, and potential for precision-controlled drug delivery [79]. Zhang et al. synthesised a pH-responsive, charge

Influence of surface characteristics on the in vitro stability and cell uptake of nanoliposomes for brain delivery

• Dushko Shalabalija,
• Ljubica Mihailova,
• Nikola Geskovski,
• Andreas Zimmer,
• Otmar Geiss,
• Sabrina Gioria,
• Diletta Scaccabarozzi and
• Marija Glavas Dodov

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 139–158, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.9

• showed a time- and concentration-dependent internalization pattern, with high impact of the surface characteristics of the different formulations. In addition, transport studies on hCMEC/D3/SH-SY5Y co-cultures confirmed the successful transport of NLs across the BBB cells and their subsequent uptake by

• neurons (ranging from 25.17% to 27.54%). Fluorescence and confocal microscopy micrographs revealed that, once internalized, NLs were concentrated in the perinuclear cell regions. Keywords: blood–brain barrier; cell co-culture; cell uptake; internalization; nanoliposomes; stability; surface

• -SY5Y cell lines to predict how formulation properties and the extracellular microenvironment affect the in vivo performance of NLs, and access transport mechanisms as well as internalization in brain tissues. Additionally, transport experiments on a co-culture system (hCMEC/D3/SH-SY5Y) were performed

Development and in vitro evaluation of liposomes and immunoliposomes containing 5-fluorouracil and R-phycoerythrin as a potential phototheranostic system for colorectal cancer

• Raissa Rodrigues Camelo,
• Vivianne Cortez Sombra Vandesmet,
• Octavio Vital Baccallini,
• José de Brito Vieira Neto,
• Thais da Silva Moreira,
• Luzia Kalyne Almeida Moreira Leal,
• Claudia Pessoa,
• Daniel Giuliano Cerri,
• Maria Vitória Lopes Badra Bentley,
• Josimar O. Eloy,
• Ivanildo José da Silva Júnior and
• Raquel Petrilli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 97–121, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.7

• stability hampers its clinical use. Thus, the present work aimed to develop co-encapsulated liposomes system for co-delivery of 5-FU and R-PE as theranostic nanosystems for CRC, as well as immunoliposomes targeted with the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, cetuximab, as a strategy for targeted delivery to EGFR

• -positive CRC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the development and in vitro evaluation of liposomes and immunoliposomes co-encapsulating 5-FU and R-PE. Thus, liposomes containing 25 mg or 50 mg of soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC), diesterolphosphatidylcholine (DSPC

• , the HSPC 50 formulation containing R-PE and 5-FU, functionalized with cetuximab, is a promising alternative for the development of co-encapsulation delivery systems as a phototheranostic nanocarriers. Keywords: colorectal cancer; immunoliposomes; photodynamic therapy; R-phycoerythrin; 5-fluorouracil

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

• copolymer (poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene, PVDF-HFP), an aqueous emulsion of alkylpolysiloxane (PSW), a dispersion of functionalized silica nanoparticles (n-SiOR), and a nanostructured silica gel in hydroalcoholic solution (wnf-SiO2). Terracotta specimens chemically and physically matching

Internal 3D temperature mapping in biological systems using ratiometric light-sheet imaging and lipid-coated upconversion nanothermometers

• Dannareli Barron-Ortiz,
• Enric Pérez-Parets,
• Rubén D. Cadena-Nava,
• Emilio J. Gualda,
• Jacob Licea-Rodríguez,
• Juan Hernández-Cordero,
• Pablo Loza-Álvarez and
• Israel Rocha-Mendoza

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2306–2316, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.159

• mainly focused on using UC nanoparticles (UCNPs), which are inorganic crystalline structures, typically composed of sodium yttrium fluoride (NaYF4) co-doped with rare-earth (RE) ions like ytterbium (Yb3+), erbium (Er3+), and gadolinium (Gd3+). These RE ions act as sensitizers and emitters, allowing for

• photonic UC of multiple NIR photons into visible luminescence [38]. As an example, in the NaYF4:Er3+/Yb3+ composite (such as that used in this work), the NaYF4 crystal matrix is co-doped with Yb3+ acting as the sensitizer to enhance the NIR absorption cross section, whereas the Er3+ ion acts as the emitter

• obtained. For instance, Vetrone et al. [36] used UCNP@PEI as nanothermometers for two-dimensional (2D) temperature mapping inside Hella cells. Similarly, Piñol and co-workers [20] used the FIR of Ln3+ (Sm, Eu)-bearing polymeric micelles to achieve real-time 2D temperature maps of breast metastatic

Improving magnetic properties of Mn- and Zn-doped core–shell iron oxide nanoparticles by tuning their size

• Dounia Louaguef,
• Ghouti Medjahdi,
• Sébastien Diliberto,
• Klaus M. Seemann,
• Thomas Gries,
• Joelle Bizeau,
• Damien Mertz,
• Eric Gaffet and
• Halima Alem

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2285–2295, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.157

• . Consequently, efforts have been made to design new ferrite systems that offer improved performance. One promising strategy involves substituting iron with other divalent metal cations (M) in spinel ferrites (MFe2O4), such as cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni), to modify the magnetic

• the magnetic saturation and improve hyperthermia performance. However, the cytotoxicity of Co-based nanoparticles poses a significant challenge for biomedical applications. Studies have demonstrated that Co2+ ions released from these particles can enter the bloodstream and accumulate in organs, where

• they induce oxidative stress, genotoxic effects, and inflammation [8][9]. This has raised concerns regarding their use in clinical applications, leading researchers to develop alternative, non-toxic substitutes for Co-based nanoparticles. In this context, manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) has been identified

Optical bio/chemical sensors for vitamin B₁₂ analysis in food and pharmaceuticals: state of the art, challenges, and future outlooks

• Seyed Mohammad Taghi Gharibzahedi and
• Zeynep Altintas

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2207–2244, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.153

• , electrochemical and optical biosensing platforms are one of the best approaches to detect VB12. Various electrochemical methods have been employed for the effective detection of VB12, focusing on its electroactive nature and the redox chemistry of the cobalt atom, primarily utilizing the Co3+/Co2+ and Co2+/Co

Missing links in nanomaterials research impacting productivity and perceptions

• Santosh K. Tiwari and
• Nannan Wang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2168–2176, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.149

• acceleration after the discovery of fullerene by Kroto and co-workers in 1985 and witnessed an even more rapid surge following the discovery of graphene and the award of the Physics Nobel Prize in 2010 [6][7]. Graphene is often referred to as a “wonder material” due to its seemingly infinite potential in

• manufacturable products, supported by co-funded pilot projects and shared IP models. (3) Implement strategic and transparent funding models that prioritize translational potential, incorporating techno-economic analyses, reproducibility metrics, and scalability considerations to accelerate technology readiness

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

Quality by design optimization of microemulsions for topical delivery of Passiflora setacea seed oil

• Daniel T. Pereira,
• Douglas Dourado,
• Danielle T. Freire,
• Dayanne L. Porto,
• Cícero F. S. Aragão,
• Myla L. de Souza,
• Guilherme R. S. de Araujo,
• Ana Maria Costa,
• Wógenes N. Oliveira,
• Anne Sapin-Minet,
• Éverton N. Alencar and
• Eryvaldo Sócrates T. Egito

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2116–2131, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.146

• address these challenges, nanotechnology-based delivery systems, particularly microemulsions (MEs), offer a promising solution. Microemulsions are thermodynamically stable, isotropic mixtures typically composed of oil, water, surfactants, and co-surfactants [6]. Their spontaneous formation, high

• surfactant and/or co-surfactant concentrations to sufficiently reduce interfacial tension and promote spontaneous formation of stable nanodroplets [6][28]. However, a previous study from our group (Dourado et al. (2022) [13]) successfully developed stable microemulsion regions using the same surfactant blend

Multifrequency AFM integrating PeakForce tapping and higher eigenmodes for heterogeneous surface characterization

• Yanping Wei,
• Jiafeng Shen,
• Yirong Yao,
• Xuke Li,
• Ming Li and
• Peiling Ke

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2077–2085, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.142

• include topographic step-like distortions and sudden phase-contrast inversions arising from bistable transitions between co-existing oscillation states, which complicate data interpretation [13][14][15][16][17]. Additionally, operational complexity escalates in liquid environments, where low-quality

Stereodiscrimination of guests in chiral organosilica aerogels studied by ESR spectroscopy

• Sebastian Polarz,
• Yasar Krysiak,
• Martin Wessig and
• Florian Kuhlmann

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2034–2054, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.140

• physisorption measurements. NHxSIL was prepared by co-condensation of tetraalkyloxysilanes (e.g., Si(OMe)4) with a second sol–gel precursor such as aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTMS, (MeO)3SiPrNH2). One can control the amine content, x, by adjusting the ratio of the two precursors in the precursor sol. A

• prepare chiral oSILs by co-condensation of Si(OiPr)4 with a sol–gel precursor that already contains the amino acid. An example is an Ala-modified 1,3-bis(triisopropoxysilyl)aniline [45][49] as shown in Scheme 1. The resulting material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM; Figure 2a); it

• in Supporting Information File 1, Figure S7. The alanine-modified precursor can also be used for co-condensation with the thiol precursor as shown in Scheme 2. The co-condensation of the latter precursor with the aforementioned Fmoc-protected, alanine-modified precursor delivers SH-FmocAlaNHzoSIL

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

• encapsulated within a PLA shell, highlighting substantial potential for biomedical applications by overcoming key material integration hurdles. Keywords: co-axial nanofibers; electrospinning; hybrid nanosystem; nanofibers; nanoemulsion; poly(lactic acid); Introduction Driven by the significant potential of

• critical gap persists in thoroughly understanding the complex polymer–lipid interactions, particularly in systems designed for the simultaneous co-encapsulation of compounds with vastly different physicochemical properties, such as hydrophilic HA and lipophilic βCp. An in-depth understanding of these

• engineered for hyaluronic acid and βCp co-delivery. The insights gained from this investigation are crucial for bridging this specific knowledge gap and may guide the design of optimized hybrid therapeutic platforms. Results and Discussion This study aimed to develop and investigate PLA nanofibers

Laser ablation in liquids for shape-tailored synthesis of nanomaterials: status and challenges

• Natalie Tarasenka

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1963–1997, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.137

• ions (Ag+, Fe3+, Co+) and complexes (W(CO)6) [41]. These additives are known to promote growth of nonspherical shapes in colloidal chemical synthesis by preferential adsorption on specific crystalline planes. Another example of the influence of ligand concentration on nanoparticle shape is given in [42

Evaluating metal-organic precursors for focused ion beam-induced deposition through solid-layer decomposition analysis

• Benedykt R. Jany,
• Katarzyna Madajska,
• Aleksandra Butrymowicz-Kubiak,
• Franciszek Krok and
• Iwona B. Szymańska

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1942–1951, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.135

• decomposition mechanisms are proposed. Studies have been conducted on ion–molecule interactions in both solid and gas phases. Ultrahigh vacuum experiments on a few monolayers of FIBID precursors, such as [Ru(CO)4I2], [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2Re(CO)5], and [Fe(CO)5], have been used to elucidate decomposition pathways

• . Gas-phase interactions between [Fe(CO)5] molecules and ions of helium, neon, argon, and krypton were carried out. However, the authors noted that these results may not accurately reflect the behavior of the precursor on the surface during actual FIBID processing since the conditions under which the

• . EIMS reveals how ligands respond to electron irradiation; simple molecules such as CO and CO2 detach cleanly, making them “favorable” in FEBID. In contrast, anionic or polyhapto ligands, such as cyclopentadienyl (Cp) or allyl fragments, readily fragment form CxHy matrices, leading to film contamination

Self-assembly and adhesive properties of Pollicipes pollicipes barnacle cement protein cp19k: influence of pH and ionic strength

• Shrutika Sawant,
• Anne Marie Power and
• J. Gerard Wall

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1863–1872, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.129

• conformation and adhesion in the protein. Results Protein expression and fibril formation Co-expression of rPolcp19k-his with E. coli GroEL-GroES chaperones to improve folding was performed as described previously [21]. Purified rPolcp19k-his protein yields of 1.8 to 2 mg per litre of E. coli culture were

• . coli BL21 (DE3) cells as previously described [21] and purified by two step purification, that is, immobilised metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) followed by ion exchange chromatography (IEC). For IMAC, the Co-IDA resin column was washed with 25 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.0) containing 150 mM NaCl and

• Galway (https://imaging.universityofgalway.ie/imaging/) and the scientific and technical assistance of Dr. Éadaoin Timmins in TEM imaging. Funding This publication was supported by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland (Science Foundation Ireland) and co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund