Nanomaterials

Micro- and nanoplastics are widespread environmental contaminants; however, the intestinal routes governing their entry into systemic circulation remain unclear. Here, we used commercially available fluorescently labeled spherical polystyrene (PS) particles as a model system to investigate the intestinal transport of 100, 500 and 1000 nm particles in mice. We combined whole-mount imaging of intestinal villi with blood and organ kinetic analyses, mesenteric imaging and modulation of lacteal endothelial junctions. The whole-blood concentration of 100 nm particles peaked at 1 h, followed by peak liver and kidney fluorescence at 2 h. In contrast, 500 and 1000 nm particles preferentially localized to lacteals and mesenteric lymphatic vessels, accumulated more strongly in mesenteric lymph nodes and showed delayed blood and organ peaks at 6 h. Shifting lacteal junction organization from discontinuous button-like junctions toward continuous zipper-like junctions with the Rho-associated kinase inhibitor Y-27632 reduced the lymph node accumulation of the larger particles, supporting a functional role for lacteal permeability in their uptake and downstream transport. Repeated exposure to the corresponding unmodified PS particles was associated with lower body weight at day 30, as well as mesenteric lymph node enlargement and cellular disorganization. These lymph node alterations were accompanied by increased mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine genes Ifng, Il1b and Tnf, consistent with a local inflammatory response. Together, these findings demonstrate size-associated partitioning of orally administered PS model particles between intestinal blood and lymphatic routes and provide a framework linking intestinal entry with subsequent systemic distribution, while identifying local mesenteric lymph node responses following repeated exposure.

The global pursuit of sustainable energy solutions and efficient thermal management has propelled thermoelectric (TE) technology to the forefront of materials science research [...]

Silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are often discussed as related heavy-metal-free luminescent nanomaterials, although the mechanisms governing their formation and emission differ fundamentally. Rather than combining two parallel bodies of literature, this review uses SiQDs and CQDs as contrasting model systems to determine which synthesis–structure–property relationships are transferable and which remain material-specific. We critically compare nonthermal gas-phase plasma, plasma–liquid, and solution-phase synthesis, including green routes, with respect to precursor activation, nucleation and growth, crystallinity, surface chemistry, purification, photoluminescence, reproducibility, and scalability. Low-pressure continuous-flow radio-frequency capacitively coupled plasma (RF-CCP) is treated as the reference plasma architecture for free-standing Si nanocrystals, while atmospheric-pressure and plasma–liquid approaches are discussed according to their distinct product forms, formation mechanisms, and technological maturity. For crystalline SiQDs, quantum confinement provides a physically defined framework for interpreting size-dependent optical behavior, although oxidation, ligands, and interfacial defects remain critical. In CQDs, emission may arise from carbon-core states, surface or defect states, and molecular fluorophores, making structural assignment and fraction-resolved characterization essential. Across both material families, reported record photoluminescence efficiencies are less informative for technological translation than reproducibility, purified product yield, long-term stability, and application-specific performance. Hybrid plasma–liquid processing, operando diagnostics, standardized optical characterization, and data-guided process optimization are identified as promising directions toward scalable and reproducible quantum-dot manufacturing.