Biocompatible Functional Nanostructures for Nanomedicine, Environmental and Energy Applications

A special issue of Applied Nano (ISSN 2673-3501).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2026 | Viewed by 3926

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Nanobiotechnology, Nanomedicine, and Nanobioelectronics Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: physics applied to biology; nanomaterials and toxicity; green nanomaterials; biophysics of cell membranes; biomaterials; silver and gold nanoparticles
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of functional nanostructures is revolutionizing fields ranging from sustainable technologies to human health. Among these, nanomedicine stands out as one of the most promising, offering new solutions for targeted drug delivery, imaging, diagnostics, and theranostics. However, the synthesis of nanomaterials often involves toxic reagents, organic solvents, and energy-intensive processes, raising serious concerns about their safety, sustainability, and long-term biocompatibility.

This Special Issue focuses on the green synthesis of organic, inorganic, and hybrid nanostructures, with particular emphasis on their application in nanomedicine. We welcome contributions that explore environmentally friendly and scalable methods for producing biocompatible, functional nanomaterials using plant extracts, biomolecules, microbial systems, low-energy techniques, and green solvents (such as water, ionic liquids, or deep eutectic solvents).

We encourage the submission of studies demonstrating the biological performance, safety, and therapeutic potential of green-synthesized nanomaterials for:

  • Drug delivery and controlled release;
  • Bioimaging and biosensing;
  • Antimicrobial and anticancer therapies;
  • Theranostic platforms.

In addition, we welcome articles addressing the roles of green-synthesized nanomaterials in environmental remediation (e.g., pollutant degradation, water treatment) and energy-related applications (e.g., catalysis, solar energy conversion, batteries), especially those that highlight multifunctional or dual-purpose nanostructures.

This Special Issue aims to highlight how sustainable nanotechnology can open new avenues to safe and effective nanomedical innovations while also addressing global environmental and energy-related challenges.

Dr. Valeria De Matteis
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • green synthesis
  • biocompatible nanostructures
  • nanomedicine
  • drug delivery
  • bioimaging
  • antimicrobial nanomaterials
  • eco-friendly nanomaterials
  • sustainable nanotechnology
  • hybrid nanocomposites
  • theranostic

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 986 KB  
Article
Structure–Optical Properties and Sustainability Assessment of Carbon Dots Derived from Laurus nobilis Leaves
by Valeria De Matteis, Cristina Baglivo, Silvia Tamborino, Mariafrancesca Cascione, Marco Anni, Paolo Vitali, Giuseppe Negro, Mariaenrica Frigione, Paolo Maria Congedo and Rosaria Rinaldi
Appl. Nano 2025, 6(3), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/applnano6030019 - 2 Sep 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1619
Abstract
Carbon dots (CDs) derived from renewable biomass are emerging as sustainable alternatives to traditional nanomaterials for applications in bioimaging, sensing, and photonics. In this study, we reported a one-step synthesis of photoluminescent CDs from Laurus nobilis leaves particularly spread in the Mediterranean area. [...] Read more.
Carbon dots (CDs) derived from renewable biomass are emerging as sustainable alternatives to traditional nanomaterials for applications in bioimaging, sensing, and photonics. In this study, we reported a one-step synthesis of photoluminescent CDs from Laurus nobilis leaves particularly spread in the Mediterranean area. The resulting nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited average diameters of 3–5 nm and high colloidal stability in water. Structural analysis by X-Rays Diffraction revealed the presence of amorphous graphitic domains, while infrared spectroscopy confirmed oxygenated functional groups on the CD surface. Spectrofluorimetric analysis showed excitation-dependent blue–green emission with a maximum at 490 nm that can be applied also as label agents for cells. The environmental sustainability of the synthetic procedure was evaluated through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), highlighting that the current impacts were primarily associated with electricity consumption, due to the laboratory-scale nature of the process. These impacts are expected to decrease significantly with future scale-up and process optimization. Full article
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Review

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33 pages, 2390 KB  
Review
Biogenic Copper-Based Nanoparticles: Emerging Antimicrobial Agents Against Pathogenic Microorganisms
by Edith Dube and Grace Emily Okuthe
Appl. Nano 2026, 7(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/applnano7010005 - 10 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1418
Abstract
Biogenic copper-based nanoparticles have attracted attention as potent antimicrobial agents synthesised via environmentally sustainable routes using plants, microorganisms, and biological waste. Green synthesis leverages phytochemicals, enzymes, and proteins as natural reducing and stabilising agents, enabling nanoparticle formation under mild, non-toxic conditions without hazardous [...] Read more.
Biogenic copper-based nanoparticles have attracted attention as potent antimicrobial agents synthesised via environmentally sustainable routes using plants, microorganisms, and biological waste. Green synthesis leverages phytochemicals, enzymes, and proteins as natural reducing and stabilising agents, enabling nanoparticle formation under mild, non-toxic conditions without hazardous reagents. The resulting nanoparticles are typically spherical, <100 nm in size, and enriched with bioactive surface functionalities that contribute to broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and biofilms. Their antimicrobial effects arise from interconnected mechanisms, including the generation of reactive oxygen species, the release of Cu2 ions, membrane disruption, and interference with vital metabolic and genetic processes. Hybrid systems such as Ag–Cu, Zn–CuO, and CuS nanoparticles further enhance efficacy through synergistic redox and photothermal effects. These properties support applications in medical coatings, wound dressings, food packaging, aquaculture disease management, and sustainable crop protection. However, toxicity is highly context-dependent, influenced by factors such as nanoparticle size, shape, surface chemistry, capping agent, concentration, exposure medium, and the biological system. Small or weakly capped NPs can induce cytotoxicity, hemolysis, developmental defects, or growth inhibition, whereas functionalization or capping can improve selectivity and biocompatibility. Standardised physicochemical characterisation, harmonised toxicity testing, and mechanistic understanding are critical for the safe translation of biogenic CuNPs into regulatory-approved applications. This review summarises recent advances (2015–2025) in the biogenic synthesis of copper-based nanoparticles, highlighting how biological systems govern nanoparticle morphology, stability, and antimicrobial efficiency. It integrates mechanistic insights, compares monometallic and hybrid systems, and evaluates emerging applications in medicine, agriculture, aquaculture, and food safety. The review also identifies current limitations and future directions for standardisation, toxicity evaluation, and regulatory approval. Full article
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