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Advanced Nanostructured Materials in Biomedical Applications: Synthesis and Characterization
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Advanced Nanostructured Materials in Biomedical Applications: Synthesis and Characterization

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 February 2026) | Viewed by 12467

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu

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Guest Editor
Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, Politehnica University of Bucharest, RO-011061 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: synthesis and characterization of nanobiomaterials; polymers; pharmaceutical nanotechnology; drug delivery; anti-biofilm surfaces; nanomodified surfaces; natural products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Dan Eduard Mihəiescu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: synthesis and characterization of nanobiomaterials; microfluidic synthesis; nanocomposites; organic and pharmaceutical chemistry; analytical chemistry; materials & nanosciences; food chemistry; bioengineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This SI  focuses on the latest advancements in the synthesis, characterization, and application of nanostructured materials within the biomedical field. The utilization of nanostructured materials, including nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and nanocoatings, has revolutionized therapeutic and diagnostic approaches, offering new solutions for drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and medical imaging.

Contributions that explore innovative synthesis techniques, detail the characterization of nanostructured materials, and demonstrate their efficacy and safety in biomedical applications are invited for submission. Papers that discuss the mechanistic insights into the interactions between nanostructures and biological systems, as well as the scalability of production processes, are particularly welcome. Reviews that summarize recent advances and the current state of the art in this rapidly evolving field are also encouraged.

This SI aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the cutting-edge research in the development and application of nanostructured materials in medicine, with contributions from leading experts in materials science, chemistry, bioengineering, and related disciplines. We aim to share important findings and help everyone better understand the benefits and challenges of these new materials through detailed research articles.

Prof. Dr. Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu
Prof. Dr. Dan Eduard Mihəiescu
Guest Editors

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nanostructured materials
  • biomedical applications
  • synthesis techniques
  • material characterization
  • drug delivery systems
  • regenerative medicine
  • medical imaging
  • nano-biointeractions
  • safety and efficacy
  • scalable production

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 2462 KB  
Article
Engineering Biocompatible Glutathione-Capped Cu2ZnSnS4 Quantum Dots Toward Integrated Photothermal and Photodynamic Effects
by Ning Lu, Yufeng Zang and Lingshuai Kong
Materials 2026, 19(4), 763; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19040763 - 15 Feb 2026
Viewed by 497
Abstract
Ultrasmall near-infrared (NIR)-responsive quantum dots (QDs) are highly promising for deep-tissue phototherapy but often face challenges with biocompatibility and clearance. In this study, Cu2ZnSnS4 quantum dots (CZTS QDs) were synthesized via a non-injection method and surface-functionalized with glutathione (GSH) to [...] Read more.
Ultrasmall near-infrared (NIR)-responsive quantum dots (QDs) are highly promising for deep-tissue phototherapy but often face challenges with biocompatibility and clearance. In this study, Cu2ZnSnS4 quantum dots (CZTS QDs) were synthesized via a non-injection method and surface-functionalized with glutathione (GSH) to create water-dispersible and biocompatible CZTS@GSH QDs. Comprehensive characterization using XRD, TEM, DLS, XPS, and UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed a sphalerite-type ZnS crystal structure, an average hydrodynamic diameter of ~6.2 nm, and a band gap of 1.47 eV (843.5 nm). The CZTS@GSH QDs demonstrated effective photothermal conversion under 808 nm laser irradiation, achieving a temperature increase sufficient for photothermal therapy (PTT). Furthermore, using a DPBF assay, the QDs were shown to generate singlet oxygen, confirming their photodynamic therapy (PDT) capability. Owing to their ultrasmall size, strong NIR absorption, and demonstrated dual PTT/PDT functions, the CZTS@GSH QDs are established as a nanoplatform with potential for combined cancer treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanostructured Materials in Biomedical Applications: Synthesis and Characterization)
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16 pages, 3415 KB  
Article
Poly(glycerol)-Functionalized Gadolinium Tungstate Nanoflakes Loaded with Chlorin e6: Photodynamic Efficacy and Radiosensitization Potential for Multimodal Cancer Therapy
by Heon Gyu Kang and Lukas R. H. Gerken
Materials 2025, 18(22), 5198; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18225198 - 16 Nov 2025
Viewed by 767
Abstract
Gadolinium (Gd)-based nanomaterials have attracted a considerable amount of attention in cancer treatment research due to their applicability in radiotherapy. However, the clinical translation of Gd-based nanomaterials is limited by their high density and poor dispersibility in aqueous media, thereby necessitating surface functionalization [...] Read more.
Gadolinium (Gd)-based nanomaterials have attracted a considerable amount of attention in cancer treatment research due to their applicability in radiotherapy. However, the clinical translation of Gd-based nanomaterials is limited by their high density and poor dispersibility in aqueous media, thereby necessitating surface functionalization with biocompatible polymers. In this study, gadolinium tungstate (Gd2(WO4)3) nanoflakes (GW Nfs) were functionalized with poly(glycerol) (PG) to enhance their dispersibility and stability in aqueous media. Due to their high-Z elemental composition, the GW Nfs generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) under X-ray irradiation, with improved dispersibility induced by PG functionalization further enhancing ROS productivity compared to GW Nfs. Furthermore, PG-GW loaded with the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) demonstrated strong photocytotoxicity at Ce6 concentrations as low as 0.2 μg mL−1 under light irradiation. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PG-GW/Ce6 is a promising nanomaterial for photodynamic therapy while also offering prospects for bimodal photon cancer therapy with X-rays. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanostructured Materials in Biomedical Applications: Synthesis and Characterization)
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14 pages, 5045 KB  
Article
Synthesis, Characterization, and Investigation of Corona Formation of Dipeptide-Based Nanomaterials
by Emrah Dikici, Burcu Önal Acet, Betül Bozdoğan, Ömür Acet, Inessa Halets-Bui, Dzmitry Shcharbin and Mehmet Odabaşı
Materials 2025, 18(1), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18010108 - 30 Dec 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1335 | Correction
Abstract
Peptide-based nanomaterials can be easily functionalized due to their functional groups, as well as being biocompatible, stable under physiological conditions, and nontoxic. Here, diphenylalanineamide-based nanomaterials (FFANMs) were synthesized, decorated with Ca2+ ions to set the surface charge, and characterized for possible use [...] Read more.
Peptide-based nanomaterials can be easily functionalized due to their functional groups, as well as being biocompatible, stable under physiological conditions, and nontoxic. Here, diphenylalanineamide-based nanomaterials (FFANMs) were synthesized, decorated with Ca2+ ions to set the surface charge, and characterized for possible use in gene delivery and drug release studies. FFANMs were characterized by SEM, TEM, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and LC-MS/MS. Corona formation and biocompatible studies were also carried out. Some of the data obtained are as follows: FFANMs have a diameter of approximately 87.93 nm. While the zeta potentials of FFANMs and Ca2+@FFANMs were −20.1 mV and +9.3 mV, respectively, after corona formation with HSA and IgG proteins, they were shifted to −7.6 mV and −3.7 mV, respectively. For gene delivery studies, zeta potentials of Ca2+@FFANMs and DNA interactions were also studied and found to shift to −9.7 mV. Cytotoxicity and biocompatibility studies of NMs were also studied on HeLa and HT29 cell lines, and decreases of about 5% and 10% in viability at the end of 24 h and 72 h incubation times were found. We think that the results obtained from this study will assist the groups working in the relevant field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanostructured Materials in Biomedical Applications: Synthesis and Characterization)
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15 pages, 2069 KB  
Article
Ge-Doped Boron Nitride Nanoclusters Functionalized with Amino Acids for Enhanced Binding of Bisphenols A and Z: A Density Functional Theory Study
by Chan-Fan Yu and Chia Ming Chang
Materials 2024, 17(18), 4439; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17184439 - 10 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1586
Abstract
This study uses density functional theory to investigate boron nitride nanoclusters functionalized with amino acids for enhanced binding of bisphenols A (BPA) and Z (BPZ) to mimic the estrogen-related receptor gamma. Three categories of nanoclusters were examined: pristine B12N12, [...] Read more.
This study uses density functional theory to investigate boron nitride nanoclusters functionalized with amino acids for enhanced binding of bisphenols A (BPA) and Z (BPZ) to mimic the estrogen-related receptor gamma. Three categories of nanoclusters were examined: pristine B12N12, and those which were germanium-doped for boron or nitrogen. The study reveals that hydrogen bonding patterns and molecular stability are significantly influenced by the type of functional group and the specific amino acids involved. Ge-doping generally enhances the binding stability and spontaneity of the nanocluster–amino acid–bisphenol complexes, with Glu 275 emerging as the most stable binding site. The analysis of electronic properties such as energy gap, ionization potential, electron affinity, and chemical hardness before and after bisphenol binding indicates a general trend of increased reactivity, particularly in Ge-doped nanoclusters. The findings highlight the potential of these nanocluster composites in applications requiring high reactivity and electron mobility, such as pollutant removal and drug delivery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanostructured Materials in Biomedical Applications: Synthesis and Characterization)
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Review

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21 pages, 1299 KB  
Review
An Up-to-Date Review of Materials Science Advances in Bone Grafting for Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
by Carmen-Larisa Nicolae, Diana-Cristina Pîrvulescu, Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu, Dragoș Epistatu, Dan Eduard Mihaiescu, Alexandru Mihai Antohi, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu and George-Alexandru Croitoru
Materials 2024, 17(19), 4782; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17194782 - 28 Sep 2024
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6904
Abstract
Bone grafting in oral and maxillofacial surgery has evolved significantly due to developments in materials science, offering innovative alternatives for the repair of bone defects. A few grafts are currently used in clinical settings, including autografts, xenografts, and allografts. However, despite their benefits, [...] Read more.
Bone grafting in oral and maxillofacial surgery has evolved significantly due to developments in materials science, offering innovative alternatives for the repair of bone defects. A few grafts are currently used in clinical settings, including autografts, xenografts, and allografts. However, despite their benefits, they have some challenges, such as limited availability, the possibility of disease transmission, and lack of personalization for the defect. Synthetic bone grafts have gained attention since they have the potential to overcome these limitations. Moreover, new technologies like nanotechnology, 3D printing, and 3D bioprinting have allowed the incorporation of molecules or substances within grafts to aid in bone repair. The addition of different moieties, such as growth factors, stem cells, and nanomaterials, has been reported to help mimic the natural bone healing process more closely, promoting faster and more complete regeneration. In this regard, this review explores the currently available bone grafts, the possibility of incorporating substances and molecules into their composition to accelerate and improve bone regeneration, and advanced graft manufacturing techniques. Furthermore, the presented current clinical applications and success stories for novel bone grafts emphasize the future potential of synthetic grafts and biomaterial innovations in improving patient outcomes in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanostructured Materials in Biomedical Applications: Synthesis and Characterization)
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