Cross-scale design of chemosensor arrays: from molecular self-assembly in water to paper-based devices for metal ion detection

• Yui Sasaki and
• Tsuyoshi Minami

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 828–838, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.59

• comparable to those of the solution-based chemosensor array. The concept can also be extended to polymer-based chemosensor elements. In a previous study, a polythiophene derivative immobilized chemosensor array on a paper substrate achieved highly sensitive detection of metal ions at tens of parts per

Substrate-dependent pore formation in molybdenum disulfide monolayers under ion irradiation

• Yossarian Liebsch,
• Umair Javed,
• Lucia Skopinski,
• Leon Daniel,
• Franziska Appel,
• Radia Rahali,
• Clara Grygiel,
• Henning Lebius,
• Carolin Frank,
• Lars Breuer,
• Leon Kirsch,
• Frieder Koch,
• Jani Kotakoski and
• Marika Schleberger

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 769–780, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.54

• received the same fluence. Schematic of the irradiation and subsequent STEM analysis of MoS2 on SiO2. First, CVD-grown MoS2 on SiO2/Si is irradiated with highly charged ions (a). After that, irradiated MoS2 is transferred polymer-free to a TEM grid (b). (c) Transferred flakes on the TEM grid (left) are

Environmental applications of silver nanoparticles: state-of-the-art review and emerging trends

• Soni Prajapati,
• Akash Kumar and
• Ranjana Singh

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 697–736, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.49

• capacity, which was increased by adding other materials. This includes carbon-based nanocomposites (activated carbon, graphene, and nanotubes), polymer-based nanocomposites (chitosan and alginate), and metal oxide-based nanocomposites (iron, zinc, and titanium) [26]. A recent study confirmed the removal of

Protein-based custom-designed molecular nanotraps for biomedical applications

• Devid Maniglio,
• Alice Marinangeli and
• Alessandra Maria Bossi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 683–687, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.47

• polymer matrices that closely mimic natural recognition entities [2]. MIP technology is a strategy specifically designed to mold selective binding sites in a material through a template-assisted synthesis [3]. The specific recognition is achieved through a polymer synthesis that occurs in the presence of

• rich in glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, gelatin is a denatured and fragmented form of collagen produced through partial acidic or basic hydrolysis [13]. Gelatin is a water-soluble polymer that typically undergoes a temperature-dependent gelation, with the transition from a liquid to a hydrogel

Decontamination from water pollutants and pathogens by electrospun nanofibers doped with heavy-atom-free borafluorene-BODIPY photosensitizers

• Angelika Zaszczyńska,
• Paulina H. Marek-Urban,
• Karolina Wrochna,
• Agnieszka E. Kuklewska,
• Kacper Kręgielewski,
• Marta Grodzik,
• Dawid R. Natkowski,
• Jolanta Mierzejewska,
• Ewa Iwanek,
• Agata Blacha-Grzechnik,
• Paweł Sajkiewicz and
• Krzysztof Durka

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 668–682, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.46

• successfully incorporated into electrospun polymeric nanofibers. Optimization of the material composition revealed that polycaprolactone (PCL), an FDA- and EMA-approved, biodegradable, easily accessible, and cost-efficient polymer, doped with BODIPY at a concentration of only 0.15 wt %, is an efficient

• typical range for electrospun materials. The addition of highly hydrophobic BODIPY to the polymer fibers slightly reduced the hydrophilicity of the material. This is evidenced by a small but systematic decrease in the water contact angle (WCA), from 122° ± 0.9° for pure PCL to 117.49° ± 3.1° for 1(0.50 wt

Cellulose as a photocatalyst support material: extraction, structural features, and environmental applications

• Yee Teng Lim,
• Nur Farhana Jaafar,
• Azizul Hakim Lahuri and
• Endang Tri Wahyuni

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 635–652, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.44

• polymers provide distinct advantages such as renewability, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, which make them particularly valuable for biomedical applications. Among polysaccharides, cellulose is the most abundant biodegradable polymer [1]. Many researchers have reported on the extraction of

• groups that contribute to the unique reactivity and structural properties of the polymer. These hydroxy groups enable extensive hydrogen bonding between polymer strands; together with van der Waals forces, they drive the cellulose molecules to align and stack in parallel, ultimately giving rise to the

• immobilizing photocatalysts on membrane surfaces to create a polymer photocatalytic membrane matrix, which has shown strong effectiveness in degrading water contaminants [14]. They also prevent biofouling, a major problem in membrane separation. Scientists are increasingly combining cellulose with different

Recent progress in enhancing built-in electric fields of perovskite solar cells via junction engineering

• Tong Xiao and
• Ke Xu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 602–621, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.42

• that dopants fail to penetrate the crystalline domains of the polymer, limiting the achievable doping level. To overcome this limitation, Zhang et al. [31] proposed an anion-assisted molecular-doping (AMD) strategy using BF4− for the PTAA and Poly-TPD hole-transport layers in p–i–n inverted devices

Advances in nanotechnology applied to natural products

• Douglas Dourado,
• Fábio Rocha Formiga,
• Éverton do Nascimento Alencar and
• Franceline Reynaud

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 555–558, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.36

• modifications (e.g., polymer or polysaccharide coatings) can be used to tailor stability and biological interactions [16]. These vesicles are attractive due to their biocompatibility and capacity to encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic substances [17]. Liposomes have been explored in diverse biomedical

• , underscoring the importance of physicochemical approaches in the development of nanostructured formulations [23][24]. More recently, hybrid nanosystems have emerged as promising strategies for natural product delivery and application. Structures that combine polymer–lipid interfaces, such as core–shell

Electrochemical determination of ciprofloxacin using a MIL-101/reduced graphene oxide-modified electrode

• Nguyen Quang Man,
• Nguyen Ngoc Nghia,
• Nguyen Vinh Phu,
• Vo Thi Khanh Ly,
• Le Lam Son,
• Pham Khac Lieu,
• Le Thi Hong Phong,
• Nguyen Dinh Luyen and
• Dinh Quang Khieu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 541–554, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.35

• affordable analytical methods for detecting ciprofloxacin is very important. Conventional analytical techniques for CPR determination, including a fluorescence sensor based on CsPbBr3 quantum dots embedded in a molecularly imprinted polymer [5], and ultrasound-assisted magnetic dispersive micro-solid phase

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

• and were used as received. Nanocapsule suspensions Preparation Nanocapsules were prepared using a preformed polymer interfacial deposition method that was previously described by our group, but with some modifications [27]. Curcumin-loaded polymeric nanocapsules (C-NC) were prepared using an organic

• for the present study. Some hydrogels were prepared solely for comparative purposes and were used during the characterisation step. Chitosan was the polymer used to produce the hydrogel for the bottom layer of the film. This natural polymer was initially mixed with glycerine in a porcelain mortar, and

• presented a negative zeta potential. In addition to the low magnitude of the negative zeta potential, physical stability was further ensured by steric stabilisation, resulting from the presence of a non-ionic polymer (polysorbate 80) at the nanocapsule–water interface. The curcumin concentration in the

Polycatecholamine nanocoatings on stainless steel: the effect on attachment of human fibroblasts and platelets

• Paulina Trzaskowska,
• Ewa Rybak,
• Maciej Trzaskowski,
• Kamil Kopeć,
• Jakub Krzemiński,
• Rafał Podgórski,
• Hatice Genc,
• Mehtap Civelek and
• Iwona Cicha

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 365–380, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.25

• several weeks and prolonged antimicrobial activity [21][22][23]. Beyond classical PDA films, broader catechol-based and PDA-inspired chemistries have been explored, including phenolic polymer systems, mussel-inspired adhesive interfaces and catechol-rich surface architectures, which have been shown to

• longest time of coating. Images taken directly after coating (Figure 5a,b,e,f) show the initial coating morphology. The surface of SS-PDA 10 min could not be clearly distinguished with SEM; however, the surface of SS-PDA 4 h presented a full coverage with a polymer film. After 28 d of constant washing

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

• graphene flakes. However, their susceptibility to degradation in the presence of water and oxygen remains a significant challenge [110]. Yet, for both materials, an ultrathin casing layer of oxide or polymer resist might not represent an obstacle to LAO processing, as already demonstrated [41][63

• contrast, LAO remains primarily a prototyping technique best suited for laboratory-scale setups. It is worth noting that recently developed cantilever-free scanning probe technologies [124] address the scalability challenge by employing large arrays of polymer pens, effectively overcoming the inherently

Structure-dependent thermochromism of PAZO thin films: theory and experiment

• Georgi Mateev,
• Dean Dimov,
• Nataliya Berberova-Buhova,
• Nikoleta Kircheva,
• Todor Dudev,
• Ludmila Nikolova,
• Elena Stoykova,
• Keehoon Hong,
• Dimana Nazarova,
• Silvia Angelova and
• Lian Nedelchev

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 186–199, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.12

• relationship between the structural organization of the polymer side chains and temperature-induced optical changes. By combining experimental spectroscopic techniques with theoretical modeling, we demonstrate that the thermochromic response of PAZO films is strongly influenced by molecular aggregation, film

• physicochemical, optoelectronic, and even biophysical properties creates myriad opportunities for their application, especially as polymer thin films [1][2]. These films are widely used in modern life as they can be easily tailored to have specific properties like high conductivity, optical transparency, or

• polymers in thin films are known to markedly differ from those observed in the bulk, with significant differences in glass transition behavior, diffusion, and viscoelastic properties [4]. The assembly of polymer molecules from solution to solid state play a critical role in determining thin film morphology

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

• siRNA within lysosomes via protonation-induced release [21]. Similarly, a study presented a polymer nanocarrier with acid-triggered charge reversal achieving >60% drug release within 48 h at lysosomal pH 5.0, compared to less than 10% release at physiological pH 7.4. The system used tethered imidazole

• photothermal therapy and chemotherapy by encapsulating the HSP90 inhibitor 17-AAG within UCST-type polymer-modified gold nanorods. Upon 1064 nm irradiation, they exhibit 65.1% photothermal conversion efficiency and trigger heat-induced 17-AAG release, achieving 98.86% of tumour growth inhibition in mice [57

• radiation compared to that under conventional methods. These dual-functionality CRNs improved drug delivery precision and enhanced the overall effectiveness of radiotherapy [61]. A study by Liu et al. developed the nanoscale coordination polymer Hf-nIm@PEG (HNP), which integrates hafnium ions (Hf4+) with 2

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

• (ethylene glycol) with a fixed concentration different than that used in the present study), examining their cellular uptake at a single time point. The results highlighted that both the type of nanocarrier and the nature of the surface polymer critically influence nanoparticle–cell interactions, including

• chains on the liposome surface is expected to be increased and be characterized with a“dense brush” conformation as steric hindrances restrict movement and self-coiling of the grafted polymer [44]. This fact is supported by the literature data that confirms that nanosystems characterized by “dense brush

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

• polymer is known to reduce protein corona formation and confer greater stability in biological media [69][70]. In immunoliposomes, a tendency for size and PDI to increase after 24–48 h of incubation was observed, suggesting possible adsorption of serum proteins and/or reorganization of antibody chains on

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

• conservation challenges. Application of the PHB–EL–DFO gel on these mock-ups demonstrated its ability to safely and efficiently remove both corrosion products and polymer coatings, even when coatings penetrated the corrosion layer. The gel was prepared at 110 °C and cooled to form a malleable, easy-to-use

• without potential residues. Sustainability is also partially met; the process is water-based and free from hazardous reagents, yet its reliance on synthetic polyelectrolytes reduces its ecological advantage compared to fully bio-derived alternatives. There are reported examples of polymer-based coatings

• labeled F-WPU@ZIF-8/ Ti3C2Tx. The two nanomaterials (the MOF ZIF-8 and the 2D MXene Ti3C2Tx), synthesized and dispersed uniformly before being incorporated into the WPU matrix and sprayed onto the bronze substrates, were aimed to fill microcracks and structural defects in the polymer matrix, improving

Chiral plasmonic nanostructures fabricated with circularly polarized light

• Tian Qiao and
• Ming Lee Tang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2245–2264, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.154

• solutions by sonicating the substrates in an aqueous solution of surfactant. 2.4 Plasmon-mediated polymer motions and polymerization using CPL The enhanced EM field under CPL of achiral PNSs can result in a spatially dissymmetric distribution of light absorption by chromophores. As depicted in Figure 5a

• , CPL resulted in a chiral electric field distribution around an achiral gold meta molecule comprised of three gold discs [107]. This meta molecule was coated with an azobenzene-containing polymer that undergoes a conformational change upon photon absorption, inducing molecular movement. This movement

• can lead to a significant displacement of the polymer backbone, with the degree of displacement being dependent on the strength of the electric field under CPL. Chiral topographic changes due to the polymer displacement were observed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Similar observations were made

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

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