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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 (20 September 2024) | Viewed by 14762

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Dr. Xiaogang Li

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Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Interests: material design; microstructure; mechanical property; machining and manufacturing; fracture and failure
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanomaterials have rapidly developed and attention surrounding their use has increased in recent years. The emergence of various nanomaterials, i.e., nanoparticles, nanograined alloys, gradient nanostructures, is expected to make it possible for materials with super or very special properties to be applied in unusual practical contexts. There is a wide range of applications for nanomaterials in biochemistry or molecular medicine, fuel cells or metal-ion batteries, flexible electronics, as well various components related to energy. The physical and chemical properties of nanostructures are determined by their chemical composition and structure and are also affected by the forming process, which is critical for reliability and life in practical applications.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a research forum to report on structure, properties, processing and applications for nanoparticles and nanomaterials to explore more possibilities to address intractable challenges.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the studies mentioned above. Other relevant studies, such as the design of novel nanostructures or modification of nanoparticles, will also be considered. Research articles and reviews in this area of study are welcome.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Xiaogang Li
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

nanostructures
nanoparticles
microstructure characterization
material design
evaluation of mechanical properties
applications of nanomaterials

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Related Special Issue

Properties and Applications of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials: 2nd Edition in International Journal of Molecular Sciences (5 articles)

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

3 pages, 125 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Properties and Applications of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials

by Xiaogang Li

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(2), 765; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26020765 - 17 Jan 2025

Viewed by 975

Abstract

Nanomaterials have rapidly developed and attention surrounding their use has increased in recent years [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

17 pages, 9855 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Rod-like Bi₂O₃ Photocatalyst Derived from Bi-Based MOFs for the Efficient Adsorption and Catalytic Reduction of Cr(VI)

by Qin Fang, Luying Chen, Qiucheng Fu, Yongjuan Chen, Jiao He, Liang Jiang, Zhiying Yan and Jiaqiang Wang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 13052; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252313052 - 4 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 957

Abstract

Heavy metal ion pollution poses a serious threat to the natural environment and human health. Photoreduction through Bi-based photocatalysts is regarded as an advanced green technology for solving environmental problems. However, their photocatalytic activity is limited by the rapid recombination of photogenerated e⁻ and h⁺ pairs and a low photo-quantum efficiency. In this work, an optimal precursor of Bi-based MOFs was identified by using different solvents, and rod-like Bi₂O₃ materials were derived by in situ oxidation of Bi atoms in the precursor. The adsorption and photocatalytic reduction efficiency of the prepared Bi₂O₃ materials for Cr(VI) were evaluated under visible light irradiation. The results showed that the prepared materials had a large specific surface area and enhanced visible light absorption. Bi₂O₃(DMF/MeOH-3)-400 had a large specific surface area and many active adsorption sites, and it had the highest adsorption of Cr(VI) (49.13%) among the materials. Bi₂O₃(DMF/MeOH-3)-400 also had the highest photocatalytic reduction efficiency, and it achieved 100% removal of 10 mg·L⁻¹ Cr(VI) within 90 min under light. In addition, the material showed remarkable stability after three consecutive photocatalytic cycles. The enhanced photocatalytic performance was mainly attributed to the fast separation of electron–hole pairs and efficient electron transfer in the MOF-derived materials, which was confirmed by electrochemical tests and PL spectroscopy. Reactive species trapping experiments confirmed that electrons were the main active substances; accordingly, a possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed. In conclusion, this work provides a new perspective for designing novel photocatalysts that can facilitate the removal of Cr(VI) from water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials)

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16 pages, 6756 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Assembled Gold Nanoparticles as Reusable SERS Substrates for Polyphenolic Compound Detection

by Arina Pavlova, Ksenia Maleeva, Ivan V. Moskalenko, Vadim Belyaev, Mikhail V. Zhukov, Demid Kirilenko, Kirill V. Bogdanov and Evgeny Smirnov

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12785; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312785 - 28 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1348

Abstract

Natural polyphenolic compounds play a pivotal role in biological processes and exhibit notable antioxidant activity. Among these compounds, chlorogenic acid stands out as one of the most widespread and important polyphenols. The accurate detection of chlorogenic acid is crucial for ensuring the quality and classification of the raw materials used in its extraction, as well as the final products in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries that contain this bioactive compound. Raman spectroscopy emerges as a powerful analytical tool, particularly in field applications, due to its versatility and sensitivity, offering both qualitative and quantitative analyses. By using the self-assembly of gold nanoparticles at liquid–liquid interfaces and the developed “aqua-print” process, we propose a facile and inexpensive route to fabricate enhanced substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy with high reproducibility. To ensure substrate reliability and accurate molecule detection in SERS experiments, a benchmarking procedure was developed. This process involved the use of non-resonant rhodamine 6G dye in the absence of charge transfer and was applied to all synthesized nanoparticles and fabricated substrates. The latter revealed the highest enhancement factor of 4 × 10⁴ for 72 nm gold nanoparticles among nanoparticle diameters ranging from 14 to 99 nm. Furthermore, the enhanced substrate was implemented in the detection of chlorogenic acid with a concentration range from 10 μM to 350 μM, demonstrating high accuracy (R² > 99%). Raman mapping was employed to validate the good uniformity of the signal (the standard deviation was below 15%). The findings of this study were also supported by DFT calculations of the theoretical Raman spectra, demonstrating the formation of the chlorogenic acid dimer. The proposed method is strategically important for the development of the class of in-field methods to detect polyphenolic compounds in raw materials such as plants, extracted plant proteins, and polyphenolic compounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials)

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30 pages, 16269 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nanotechnology-Driven Delivery of Caffeine Using Ultradeformable Liposomes-Coated Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Enhanced Follicular Delivery and Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

by Nattanida Thepphankulngarm, Suwisit Manmuan, Namon Hirun and Pakorn Kraisit

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(22), 12170; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252212170 - 13 Nov 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3029

Abstract

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is caused by the impact of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on hair follicles, leading to progressive hair loss in men and women. In this study, we developed caffeine-loaded hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles coated with ultradeformable liposomes (ULp-Caf@HMSNs) to enhance caffeine delivery to hair follicles. Caffeine, known to inhibit DHT formation, faces challenges in skin penetration due to its hydrophilic nature. We investigated caffeine encapsulated in liposomes, hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSNs), and ultradeformable liposome-coated HMSNs to optimize drug delivery and release. For ultradeformable liposomes (ULs), the amount of polysorbate 20 and polysorbate 80 was varied. TEM images confirmed the mesoporous shell and hollow core structure of HMSNs, with a shell thickness of 25–35 nm and a hollow space of 80–100 nm. SEM and TEM analysis showed particle sizes ranging from 140–160 nm. Thermal stability tests showed that HMSNs coated with ULs exhibited a Td₁₀ value of 325 °C and 70% residue ash, indicating good thermal stability. Caffeine release experiments indicated that the highest release occurred in caffeine-loaded HMSNs without a liposome coating. In contrast, systems incorporating ULp-Caf@HMSNs exhibited slower release rates, attributable to the dual encapsulation mechanism. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that ULs-coated particles penetrated deeper into the skin than non-liposome particles. MTT assays confirmed the non-cytotoxicity of all HMSN concentrations to human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPCs). ULp-Caf@HMSNs promoted better cell viability than pure caffeine or caffeine-loaded HMSNs, highlighting enhanced biocompatibility without increased toxicity. Additionally, ULp-Caf@HMSNs effectively reduced ROS levels in DHT-damaged HFDPCs, suggesting they are promising alternatives to minoxidil for promoting hair follicle growth and reducing hair loss without increasing oxidative stress. This system shows promise for treating AGA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials)

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17 pages, 5214 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tuning the Electronic Properties of Cu_mAg_n Bimetallic Clusters for Enhanced CO₂ Activation

by Turki Alotaibi, Moteb Alotaibi, Fatimah Alhawiti, Nawir Aldosari, Majd Alsunaid, Lama Aldawas, Talal F. Qahtan and Ali K. Ismael

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(22), 12053; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252212053 - 9 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1223

Abstract

The urgent demand for efficient CO₂ reduction technologies has driven enormous studies into the enhancement of advanced catalysts. Here, we investigate the electronic properties and CO₂ adsorption properties of Cu_mAg_n bimetallic clusters, particularly Cu₄Ag₁, Cu₁Ag₄, Cu₃Ag₂, and Cu₂Ag₃, using generalized gradient approximation (GGA)/density functional theory (DFT). Our results show that the atomic arrangement within these clusters drastically affects their stability, charge transfer, and catalytic performance. The Cu₄Ag₁ bimetallic cluster emerges as the most stable structure, revealing superior charge transfer and effective chemisorption of CO₂, which promotes effective activation of the CO₂ molecule. In contrast, the Cu₁Ag₄ bimetallic cluster, in spite of comparable adsorption energy, indicates insignificant charge transfer, resulting in less pronounced CO₂ activation. The Cu₃Ag₂ and Cu₂Ag₃ bimetallic clusters also display high adsorption energies with remarkable charge transfer mechanisms, emphasizing the crucial role of metal composition in tuning catalytic characteristics. This thorough examination provides constructive insights into the design of bimetallic clusters for boosted CO₂ reduction. These findings could pave the way for the development of cost-effective and efficient catalysts for industrial CO₂ reduction, contributing to global efforts in carbon management and climate change mitigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials)

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19 pages, 5932 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimisation, Synthesis, and Characterisation of ZnO Nanoparticles Using Leonotis ocymifolia (L. ocymifolia) Leaf Extracts for Antibacterial and Photodegradation Applications

by Dorcas Mutukwa, Raymond Tichaona Taziwa, Shepherd Masimba Tichapondwa and Lindiwe Khotseng

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11621; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111621 - 29 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1246

Abstract

This work presents a green synthesis route, which utilises extracts from an indigenous plant in South Africa, eastern and southern Africa that is understudied and underutilised, for preparing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). This study involved optimisation of the green synthesis method using Leonotis ocymifolia (L.O.) extracts and performing comparative studies on the effects of using different zinc (Zn) salt precursors; zinc sulphate heptahydrate (Z001) and zinc acetate dihydrate (Z002) to synthesise the ZnO NPs. The comparative studies also compared the L.O-mediated ZnO NPs and chemical-mediated ZnO NPs (Z003). The as-prepared ZnO NPs were tested for their effectiveness in the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dye. Furthermore, antibacterial studies were conducted using the agar well diffusion method on Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria. The structural, morphological, and optical characteristics of the synthesised ZnO NPs were analysed using XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDS, DRS, and BET techniques. The XRD results indicated that the L.O-mediated ZnO NPs had smaller crystallite sizes (18.24–19.32 nm) than their chemically synthesised counterparts (21.50 nm). FTIR confirmed the presence of biomolecules on the surface of the L.O-mediated NPs, and DRS analysis revealed bandgap energies between 3.07 and 3.18 eV. The EDS results confirmed the chemical composition of the synthesised ZnO NPs, which were made up of Zn and O atoms. Photocatalytic studies demonstrated that the L.O-mediated ZnO NPs (Z001) exhibited a superior degradation efficiency of the MB dye (89.81%) compared to chemically synthesised ZnO NPs (56.13%) under ultraviolet (UV) light for 240 min. Antibacterial tests showed that L.O-mediated ZnO NPs were more effective against S. aureus than E. coli. The enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial properties of L.O-mediated ZnO NPs highlight their potential for environmental remediation and antimicrobial applications, thus supporting sustainable development goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials)

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19 pages, 5242 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unlocking the Luminescent Potential of Fish-Scale-Derived Carbon Nanoparticles for Multicolor Conversion

by Najeeb S. Abdulla II, Marvin Jose F. Fernandez, Bakhytzhan Baptayev and Mannix P. Balanay

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(20), 10929; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252010929 - 11 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1333

Abstract

This study introduces a novel approach to addressing environmental issues by developing fish-scale carbon nanoparticles (FSCNPs) with a wide range of colors from discarded fish scales. The process involves hydrothermally synthesizing raw tamban (Sardinella) fish scales sourced from Universal Canning, Inc. in Zamboanga City, Philippines. The optimization of the synthesis was achieved using the response surface methodology with a Box–Behnken design. The resulting FSCNPs exhibited unique structural and chemical properties akin to carbonized polymer dots, enhancing their versatility. The solid-state fluorescence of these nanoparticles can be modulated by varying their concentration in a polyvinylpyrrolidone matrix, yielding colors such as blue, green, yellow, and red-orange with Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage coordinates of (0.23, 0.38), (0.32, 0.43), (0.37, 0.43), and (0.46, 0.48), respectively. An analysis of the luminescence mechanism highlights cross-linking emissions, aggregation-induced emissions, and non-covalent interactions, which contribute to concentration-dependent fluorescence and tunable emission colors. These optical characteristics suggest that FSCNPs have significant potential for diverse applications, particularly in opto-electronic devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials)

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11 pages, 20220 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Chiral Self-Assembled Nano-Fluorescence Materials with AIE Characteristics for Specific Enantioselective Recognition of L-Lysine

by Peng Wang, Rong Wang, Yue Sun, Yu Hu, Kaiyue Song and Xiaoxia Sun

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10666; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910666 - 3 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1229

Abstract

In this paper, two aggregation-induced emission (AIE) chiral fluorescent materials, S-1 and S-2, were synthesized. The two materials are based on BINOL and H₈-BINOL backbones, respectively, and large electron-absorbing groups are attached to the chiral backbones through the Knoevenagel reaction. At the same time, the CD signals of these two chiral fluorescent materials are gradually weakened (f_w gradually increases) as they continue to aggregate. However, S-2 underwent a flip-flop from a negative to positive chiral CD signal at f_w ≥ 90. And both materials also showed significant enantioselective recognition of lysine, demonstrating their potential as novel chiral fluorescent probes. Among them, the enantioselective fluorescence enhancement ratios (ef) of S-1 and S-2 for lysine were 10.0 and 10.3, respectively, while different degrees of blue shifts were produced by the ICT mechanism during the recognition process. In addition, the self-assembled morphology of the two nanomaterials is different; S-1 comprises hollow-core vesicles that are more likely to aggregate to form larger self-assembled vesicles, whereas S-2 is a solid block structure. When L/D-lysine was added alone, the morphology of S-1 was more distinctly different compared to S-2. With the addition of L-lysine, S-1 was dispersed and regularly spherical, whereas with the addition of D-lysine, S-1 itself remained in the form of aggregated large vesicles. This suggests that both S-1 and S-2 are important in the fields of chiral optics, chiral recognition, and nanoscale self-assembly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials)

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13 pages, 5601 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Induction of Combined Hyperthermal Ablation Effect of Irreversible Electroporation with Polydopamine Nanoparticle-Coated Electrodes

by Sung-Min Jeon, Enkhzaya Davaa, Ratchapol Jenjob, Chiravoot Pechyen, Sitakan Natphopsuk, Seok Jeong, Hye Jin Yoo and Su-Geun Yang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(8), 4317; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25084317 - 13 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1899

Abstract

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a prominent non-thermal ablation method widely employed in clinical settings for the focal ablation therapy of solid tumors. Utilizing high-voltage, short-duration electric pulses, IRE induces perforation defects in the cell membrane, leading to apoptotic cell death. Despite the promise of irreversible electroporation (IRE) in clinical applications, it faces challenges concerning the coverage of target tissues for ablation, particularly when compared to other thermal ablation therapies such as radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, and cryoablation. This study aims to investigate the induced hyperthermal effect of IRE by applying a polydopamine nanoparticle (Dopa NP) coating on the electrode. We hypothesize that the induced hyperthermal effect enhances the therapeutic efficacy of IRE for cancer ablation. First, we observed the hyperthermal effect of IRE using Dopa NP-coated electrodes in hydrogel phantom models and then moved to in vivo models. In particular, in in vivo animal studies, the IRE treatment of rabbit hepatic lobes with Dopa NP-coated electrodes exhibited a two-fold higher increase in temperature (ΔT) compared to non-coated electrodes. Through a comprehensive analysis, we found that IRE treatment with Dopa NP-coated electrodes displayed the typical histological signatures of hyperthermal ablation, including the disruption of the hepatic cord and lobular structure, as well as the infiltration of erythrocytes. These findings unequivocally highlight the combined efficacy of IRE with Dopa NPs for electroporation and the hyperthermal ablation of target cancer tissues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials)

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