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

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

• biocompatible and non-toxic, de facto meet all the essential requirements for any intended clinical or biomedical applications, while improving sustainability [7][8]. From the concept to the practical aspects, a key question is: How should the choice of the natural biopolymer building blocks for the synthesis

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

• can also ensure quantity and quality of the extracted CNCs. This method requires only minimal amounts of water, produces no toxic byproducts, and even allows for the recovery of useful sugar byproducts, which further enhances its sustainability. CNCs obtained through enzymatic hydrolysis exhibit

• engineered composites that combine strong durability with full environmental sustainability [79]. The growing interest in isolating and utilizing MCC fibers in composite materials arises from their remarkable mechanical strength, stiffness, and lightweight characteristics, as well as their renewable and

• used to develop entirely new high-performance ones [83]. The effectiveness of CNCs is due to especially the high surface area and the abundance of hydroxy groups, which enable improved interaction with water contaminants while also aligning with environmental sustainability goals [82][83]. In practical

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

• ; sustainability; Natural products have long played a fundamental role in human history [1]. Besides their in natura or phytotherapeutic use, they have become essential sources of bioactive molecules for various areas (i.e., pharmacological, cosmetic, food, and biotechnological), offering a plethora of structural

Upcycling agroindustrial waste into graphene oxide supports for gold nanoparticles: toward sustainable nanomaterials

• Juan Marcos Castro-Tapia,
• Selene Acosta,
• Hiram Joazet Ojeda-Galván,
• Elsie Evelyn Araujo-Palomo,
• Edgar Giovanni Villabona-Leal and
• Mildred Quintana

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 489–504, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.32

• waste are abundant, renewable, and often underutilized. Biomass has a high carbon content and aromatic structures, making it suitable for carbonization. This approach not only contributes to waste minimization but also promotes environmental sustainability by converting abundant biowaste into valuable

• precursor and the processing conditions. This tunability provides a powerful means to tailor the structural and optical properties of AuNP@GO hybrids. Beyond its alignment with environmental sustainability goals, this approach provides a versatile, customizable platform for precisely modulating nanomaterial

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

• : artificial intelligence; in silico approaches; machine learning; nanoinformatics; nanomaterials functionality; nanotoxicity; sustainability; Nanoinformatics (as an offshoot of chemoinformatics) refers to the combination of physical chemistry and materials theory with in silico approaches to address key

• emergence of artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches, both causal and generative, are opening up new opportunities for exploring the materials and chemical space to develop new as yet undiscovered nanomaterials, for optimising in parallel the functionality, safety and sustainability of

• , October 2025. Schematic illustration of the central role of nanoinformatics in driving materials discovery, multi-criteria optimisation of NMs safety, sustainability and functionality, and use of digital twins for in silico design and testing of nanomaterials prior to production. Illustration of

Comparative study on 3D morphologies of delignified, single tracheids and fibers of five wood species

• Helen Gorges,
• Felicitas von Usslar,
• Cordt Zollfrank,
• Silja Flenner,
• Imke Greving,
• Martin Müller,
• Clemens F. Schaber,
• Chuchu Li and
• Stanislav N. Gorb

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 239–250, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.16

• Helen Gorges Felicitas von Usslar Cordt Zollfrank Silja Flenner Imke Greving Martin Muller Clemens F. Schaber Chuchu Li Stanislav N. Gorb Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany TUM Campus for Biotechnology and Sustainability

Safe and sustainable by design with ML/AI: A transformative approach to advancing nanotechnology

• Georgia Melagraki

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 176–185, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.11

• efficiency. From advanced drug delivery systems to clean energy solutions, the applications of nanotechnology are diverse and transformative. However, these innovations are accompanied by complex challenges regarding safety and sustainability for both the nanoscale materials themselves and for the products

• containing them. The growing complexity of engineered nanomaterials calls for proactive strategies to mitigate potential risks while maintaining their functional benefits. The "Safe and Sustainable by Design" (SSbD) concept addresses these challenges by embedding safety measures and sustainability

• ” initiative [15][16][17][18], the broader agenda of the European Commission on safe and sustainable design for chemicals and advanced materials as part of the EU Green Deal [19] and the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability [20], as well as the work of the OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials

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

• protective materials; nanocomposite; substrate vulnerability; superhydrophobic coatings; sustainability; Introduction The conservation of cultural heritage is not only an endeavor to preserve the physical integrity of artifacts but also to maintain the cultural identity of societies [1]. With the growing

• , and above all hydrophobicity coatings) have been considered. Some of them showed the feature of being bio-inspired [31][32][33], and some others have been obtained starting from renewable raw materials [34][35], following the sustainability paradigm [36][37][38][39]. The aim of this review article is

• [46][47]. Over the years, to these established criteria, another aspect has been increasingly, though not yet formally, acknowledged within the conservation community, namely, the sustainability of the material. Along these lines, with broader environmental awareness, coatings are now often expected

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

• , and manufacturing tools. Of course, the goal such tech companies are to continue to profit from legacy systems, especially since most of their competitors are not yet adopting nanomaterials, although these could offer considerably better performance, sustainability, longevity, and efficiency. The

• by reducing trial-and-error paths. (8) Nanotechnology deployment must embed principles of sustainability and circular economy. Designing recyclable nanomaterials, minimizing energy-intensive synthesis, and developing green manufacturing processes will be game changers. Conclusion In the current era

• moment not unlike that faced by other maturing scientific disciplines. Premature dismissal of the contribution of the field and excessive criticism would be a strategic and intellectual misstep. Certainly, some criticisms, largely regarding output, yield, and sustainability, have partial merit, but many

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

• Sameeksha Rawat S. M. Tauseef Madhuben Sharma Sustainability Cluster, School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India Research & Development, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India 10.3762/bjnano.16.148 Abstract Microplastic contamination is a newly emerging environmental problem

• strategies being pursued for MP remediation, which strike a balance between efficiency, operational feasibility, and environmental sustainability. While physical and chemical methods are dominant, the use of advanced technologies such as electrochemical systems, machine-learning-based sensing, and

• -term sustainability. Conclusion This review points out that among the serious environmental problems created by tourism, atmospheric deposition, and melting of glaciers is microplastic contamination of Himalayan Lakes. The severity of climatic conditions and the need for precise analytical methods make

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

• sustainability of the approach due to the introduction of purification steps. In PLAL, the conditions created during laser ablation synthesis are favouring the formation and growth of near-spherical NPs. To date, much less research is performed regarding shape-controlled formation of anisotropic materials. For

On the road to sustainability – application of metallic nanoparticles obtained by green synthesis in dentistry: a scoping review

• Lorena Pinheiro Vasconcelos Silva,
• Joice Catiane Soares Martins,
• Israel Luís Carvalho Diniz,
• Júlio Abreu Miranda,
• Danilo Rodrigues de Souza,
• Éverton do Nascimento Alencar,
• Moan Jéfter Fernandes Costa and
• Pedro Henrique Sette-de-Souza

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1851–1862, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.128

• stringent regulatory oversight. The prominent use of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles, produced through environmentally sustainable phytochemical-mediated synthesis, underscores a convergence of advanced antimicrobial functionality, enhanced biocompatibility, and alignment with global sustainability

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

• their accumulation in the soil environment, potentially disrupting plant health and soil microbial communities, thereby affecting ecosystem sustainability [116]. Therefore, it is essential to develop safe nanomaterials and implement effective recovery strategies to minimize the release of unexpected

Ambient pressure XPS at MAX IV

• Mattia Scardamaglia,
• Ulrike Küst,
• Alexander Klyushin,
• Rosemary Jones,
• Jan Knudsen,
• Robert Temperton,
• Andrey Shavorskiy and
• Esko Kokkonen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1677–1694, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.118

• precious metals such as Rh, Pd, and Pt [14][15]. Their atom-level dispersion maximizes surface exposure and minimizes metal consumption, which is critical for both economic and environmental sustainability. However, their inherently low site density and metastability under reaction conditions present

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

• operational period, addressing growing concerns over sustainability and long-term biocompatibility. Built from biodegradable materials that undergo hydrolysis or enzymatic degradation, these systems are particularly well suited for temporary implantable applications, such as neural monitors, wireless

• ; encapsulation; fabrication strategy; transient electronics; Introduction In recent years, a growing global concern has emerged regarding the unintended consequences of material longevity on sustainability initiatives, particularly in light of the escalating crisis of plastic waste accumulation in landfills and

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

• Abstract Effective removal of trace heavy metal ions from aqueous bodies is a pressing problem and requires significant improvement in the area of absorbent material in terms of removal efficiency and sustainability. We propose an efficient strategy to enhance the adsorption efficiency of carbon nanotubes

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

Acrocomia aculeata oil-loaded nanoemulsion: development, anti-inflammatory properties, and cytotoxicity evaluation

• Verónica Bautista-Robles,
• Hady Keita,
• Edgar Julián Paredes Gamero,
• Layna Tayná Brito Leite,
• Jessica de Araújo Isaías Muller,
• Mônica Cristina Toffoli Kadri,
• Ariadna Lafourcade Prada and
• Jesús Rafael Rodríguez Amado

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1277–1288, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.93

• , pharmaceutical, and food industries. In recent decades, there has been a growing imbalance between the demand and supply of these oils, which has generated challenges in terms of sustainability and supply. In this scenario, several oil palm species have been identified as potentially efficient sources of

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

• , enhanced bioactivity, and greater environmental sustainability. This synergy paves the way for scalable, eco-friendly solutions that align with industrial demands for highly functional packaging materials. To validate its real-world applicability, the biopackaging was tested on strawberry, a nutritious

• fruit that is highly susceptible to microbial contamination and mold growth [39] to highlight its potential to extend shelf life and improve postharvest quality. The findings indicate that this bioactive film could serve as an effective alternative to conventional packaging, offering both sustainability

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

• magnetocaloric refrigeration, magnetic sensors, and actuators, but the reliance on costly, scarce rare-earth materials limits sustainability. Developing affordable, rare-earth-free materials with tunable magnetic properties and scalable miniaturization methods is vital for advancing technology. We present a

Supramolecular hydration structure of graphene-based hydrogels: density functional theory, green chemistry and interface application

• Hon Nhien Le,
• Duy Khanh Nguyen,
• Minh Triet Dang,
• Huyen Trinh Nguyen,
• Thi Bang Tam Dao,
• Trung Do Nguyen,
• Chi Nhan Ha Thuc and
• Van Hieu Le

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 806–822, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.61

• sustainability. The GO-SG-ZH hydrogel is a supramolecular hydration structure with the advantages of aqueous dispersibility, antibacterial activity, and hydration lubrication. Water evaporation analysis suggested that the last 4% of water in the GO-SG-ZH hydrogel are interfacial hydration shells on graphene

Tailoring of physical properties of RF-sputtered ZnTe films: role of substrate temperature

• Kafi Devi,
• Usha Rani,
• Arun Kumar,
• Divya Gupta and
• Sanjeev Aggarwal

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 333–348, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.25

• fossil fuels to fulfil the growing demands of energy results in environmental pollution. Environmentally friendly resources such as solar and wind energy can act as a substitute for these non-renewable energy resources because of their sustainability and abundance. Commonly, silicon-based solar cells are

Emerging strategies in the sustainable removal of antibiotics using semiconductor-based photocatalysts

• Yunus Ahmed,
• Keya Rani Dutta,
• Parul Akhtar,
• Md. Arif Hossen,
• Md. Jahangir Alam,
• Obaid A. Alharbi,
• Hamad AlMohamadi and
• Abdul Wahab Mohammad

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 264–285, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.21

• , Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Chattogram-4349, Bangladesh Department of Civil Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Chattogram-4349, Bangladesh Water Management & Treatment Technologies Institute, Sustainability & Environment Sector, King Abdulaziz City for

• Emirates 10.3762/bjnano.16.21 Abstract In the constantly growing field of environmental sustainability, the threat of newly discovered pollutants, particularly antibiotics, has become a crucial concern. The widespread presence of these pharmaceutical substances in water sources presents a complex hazard

• AOPs facilitate antibiotic degradation without extra chemical oxidants and with minimal harmful byproducts, promoting environmental sustainability [27]. Moreover, they exhibit high selectivity towards antibiotics while preserving water quality. Compared to other photocatalysts material, semiconductor

Instance maps as an organising concept for complex experimental workflows as demonstrated for (nano)material safety research

• Benjamin Punz,
• Maja Brajnik,
• Joh Dokler,
• Jaleesia D. Amos,
• Litty Johnson,
• Katie Reilly,
• Anastasios G. Papadiamantis,
• Amaia Green Etxabe,
• Lee Walker,
• Diego S. T. Martinez,
• Steffi Friedrichs,
• Klaus M. Weltring,
• Nazende Günday-Türeli,
• Claus Svendsen,
• Christine Ogilvie Hendren,
• Mark R. Wiesner,
• Martin Himly,
• Iseult Lynch and
• Thomas E. Exner

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 57–77, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.7

• interoperability! While the focus of the cases presented here is nanosafety and sustainability, the general utility and applicability of the instance map concept to describe complex experimental and computational studies in other research areas and potentially in regulatory settings and industrial development and

• is demonstrated on a range of experimental workflows applied in nanosafety and sustainability assessment, representing the assessment of nanomaterials or advanced materials via different endpoints and workflows. Typically, the overall experimental workflow in nanosafety assessment consists of (but is

• satisfy the information requirements of downstream experiments; also, all data needs to be integrated to perform a safety and sustainability evaluation. The InstanceMaps tool was used to visually map all exposure points, the characterisation methods applied to these points, and the workflows needed to