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Cutting-Edge Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Environmental Innovations

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Nanoscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 767

Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
Interests: organic chemistry; nanomaterials; carbon dots; biochar; IoT-enabled environmental sensors; biomedical applications; environmental monitoring; sustainable functional materials; photoluminescent nanomaterials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Carbon-based nanomaterials are emerging as versatile platforms for addressing global challenges in health and environmental sustainability. Recent advances in the synthesis, functionalization, and characterization of materials such as carbon dots, graphene derivatives, and biochar-based nanostructures have opened new horizons for their integration into biomedical and environmental technologies. Their unique optical, electrical, and surface properties enable applications ranging from bioimaging, drug delivery, and antimicrobial systems to environmental monitoring, catalysis, and energy storage.

This Special Issue aims to gather original research articles and comprehensive reviews highlighting the design, development, and application of carbon-based nanomaterials at the interface of chemistry, biology, and environmental science. Contributions are especially encouraged on innovative synthetic approaches, green and sustainable production methods, advanced characterization techniques, and smart device integration (including IoT-enabled sensing systems). By bringing together interdisciplinary research, this Special Issue seeks to foster a deeper understanding of structure–function relationships and promote practical innovations that can drive biomedical and environmental progress.

Prof. Dr. Roberto Romeo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • carbon-based nanomaterials
  • carbon dots
  • biochar
  • graphene derivatives
  • biomedical applications
  • environmental monitoring
  • sustainable nanotechnology
  • smart sensors

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

22 pages, 5367 KB  
Article
Structure–Biomedical Activity Relationship of Tunable Ceria–Graphene Nanocomposites Leading to Divergent Cellular Responses
by Tudor-Mihai Magdaș, Ioana Bâldea, Constantin Bodolea, Andrei Mihai Bălan, Adrian Ștef, Lidia Mǎgeruşan and Gabriela Adriana Filip
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(11), 4772; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27114772 - 26 May 2026
Viewed by 506
Abstract
Graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs) have emerged as promising candidates for diverse biomedical applications, but their clinical translation has been hindered by inherent cytotoxicity. We synthesized three distinct cerium-containing graphene nanocomposites using a single-step, in situ electrochemical exfoliation process and investigated their structure–activity relationships in [...] Read more.
Graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs) have emerged as promising candidates for diverse biomedical applications, but their clinical translation has been hindered by inherent cytotoxicity. We synthesized three distinct cerium-containing graphene nanocomposites using a single-step, in situ electrochemical exfoliation process and investigated their structure–activity relationships in normal dermal fibroblasts (BJ) and hepatocarcinoma cells (HepG2). The properties of the resulting nanocomposites, including their morphology, cerium loading, and the surface redox state (Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio) were directly dictated by the employed synthesis parameters, such as the cerium salt precursor and its concentration. These distinct materials induced differential cellular responses that ranged from preferential cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells to a significant cytostimulatory effect and increased ATP levels in BJ fibroblasts, particularly in EXF3-treated cells. Our findings indicate that by employing the in situ electrochemical exfoliation method, the hybrid graphene compounds might be further tailored for specific purposes, moving the narrative beyond the mere functionalization of the graphene in order to achieve biocompatibility. Full article
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