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Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants and Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives
Quantum Random Number Generation Using Nanodiamonds and Nanopillar-Isolated Single NV Centers
Extracellular Vesicles from Capparis spinosa Modulate Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Huh7 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells
Size-Dependent Emission Enhancement in Deep-Ultraviolet AlGaN Microrods
Application of Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles for the Magnetic Removal of Algae That Bind Cadmium

Journal Description

Nanomaterials

Nanomaterials is an international, interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed, open access journal published semimonthly online by MDPI, and that publishes reviews, regular research papers, communications, and short notes that are relevant to any field of study that involves nanomaterials with respect to their science and applications. The Spanish Carbon Group (GEC) and The Chinese Society of Micro-Nano Technology (CSMNT) are affiliated with Nanomaterials and their members receive discounts on the article processing charges.

Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubMed, PMC, CAPlus / SciFinder, Inspec, and other databases.
Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Physics, Applied) / CiteScore - Q1 (General Chemical Engineering )
Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 14 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.5 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2025).
Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Companion journals for Nanomaterials include: Nanomanufacturing and Applied Nano.

Impact Factor: 4.3 (2024); 5-Year Impact Factor: 4.7 (2024)

Imprint Information Journal Flyer Open Access ISSN: 2079-4991

Latest Articles

15 pages, 2820 KB

Open AccessArticle

Nickel Coarsening and Mass Transfer Performance Prediction in Direct Internal Reforming Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

by Xiaoxing Yang, Guogang Yang, Hao Wang, Han Sun, Zhuangzhuang Xu and Shengzheng Ji

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 633; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100633 (registering DOI) - 20 May 2026

Ni coarsening is a primary degradation mechanism in Ni-based anodes, significantly contributing to performance decline and diminished lifespan of methane steam reforming solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) during long-term operation. In this study, a novel algorithm is introduced to reconstruct two-dimensional Ni-YSZ anode [...] Read more.

Ni coarsening is a primary degradation mechanism in Ni-based anodes, significantly contributing to performance decline and diminished lifespan of methane steam reforming solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) during long-term operation. In this study, a novel algorithm is introduced to reconstruct two-dimensional Ni-YSZ anode microstructures, complemented by the development of a multi-physics model that integrates phase-field modeling (PFM) with the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). This coupled PFM-LBM framework is employed to investigate the effects of Ni agglomeration on microstructural evolution and methane-steam mass transport under diverse conditions. The results demonstrate that the initial Ni particle diameter exerts a significant influence on Ni agglomeration dynamics. Furthermore, the mass transport analysis reveals that the necking structures formed during Ni coarsening pose a substantial impediment to mass transfer efficiency. Finally, optimized structural parameters for Ni-YSZ are proposed to enhance anode performance in Ni-based electrodes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Energy and Catalysis)

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21 pages, 984 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dispersion of Graphene Oxide: Evaluating Ionic Surfactants for Nanocomposite Cement Applications

by Sadixa Baral, Ramesh Raghavendra, Ken Thomas and Raja Das

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 632; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100632 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Graphene oxide (GO) has been widely investigated as a nanoreinforcement for cementitious composites; however, its effectiveness depends on stable dispersion within the highly alkaline, calcium-rich environment of fresh cement paste. This study evaluates the dispersion behaviour of GO in deionised (DI) water and [...] Read more.

Graphene oxide (GO) has been widely investigated as a nanoreinforcement for cementitious composites; however, its effectiveness depends on stable dispersion within the highly alkaline, calcium-rich environment of fresh cement paste. This study evaluates the dispersion behaviour of GO in deionised (DI) water and saturated calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) under controlled conditions and assesses the effectiveness of anionic and cationic surfactants in both environments. GO was synthesised using the modified Hummers method and verified by comprehensive physicochemical characterisation. Dispersion stability was assessed using UV-Vis spectroscopy at GO concentrations of 0.04–0.08 mg/mL in DI water, and the 0.08 mg/mL system was further studied in saturated Ca(OH)₂ with and without sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate (SDBS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) at a 1:1 mass ratio. Zeta potential and dynamic light scattering measurements were performed to understand the relation between the surface charge and agglomeration of GO. In DI water, GO retained close to 70% of its initial absorbance after 60 min, and both surfactants improved retention to above 90%. In saturated Ca(OH)₂, retention fell to approximately 40%, and neither surfactant restored stability despite producing zeta values that would conventionally support stable dispersion. The findings indicate that GO aggregation in calcium ion (Ca²⁺)-rich alkaline environments is not governed by net surface charge alone, consistent with the established mechanism of Ca²⁺ chemical cross-linking with GO carboxyl groups. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposite Modified Cement and Concrete)

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14 pages, 1642 KB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Continuous Flow Plasma Discharge with D-Xylose

by Muhammad Aamir Bashir, Ahmad Mukhtar, D. Eric Aston and Sarah Wu

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 631; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100631 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

The scalable production of high-quality nanoparticles is a significant challenge for advancing nanotechnology applications. This research introduces a continuous-flow liquid-plasma discharge reactor for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, utilizing D-xylose as a dual-function reducing and stabilizing agent. [...] Read more.

The scalable production of high-quality nanoparticles is a significant challenge for advancing nanotechnology applications. This research introduces a continuous-flow liquid-plasma discharge reactor for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, utilizing D-xylose as a dual-function reducing and stabilizing agent. The reactor effectively generated uniform xylose-capped silver nanoparticles (X-Ag NPs). Optimal conditions were established utilizing argon gas at a 1:100 molar ratio of Ag precursor to D-xylose, resulting in spherical X-Ag NPs with an average size of 16.89 nm, a zeta potential of −38.87 mV, and a polydispersity index of 0.22. The formation and properties of X-Ag NPs were confirmed through characterization techniques including UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The findings demonstrate that uniform particle nucleation and growth occurred due to the homogeneous distribution of high-energy electrons and reactive gas species produced in the plasma phase. This environmentally sustainable, continuous-flow method shows considerable promise for the industrial-scale production of biomass-derived silver nanoparticles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nanoelectronics, Nanosensors and Devices)

39 pages, 1430 KB

Open AccessReview

Polymer Nanoparticles in Medical Applications—Future Directions

by Barbara Zawidlak-Węgrzyńska and Joanna Rydz

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 630; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100630 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Polymer-based nanoparticle systems have emerged as a versatile platform for advancing precision medicine by enabling controlled, targeted, and multifunctional drug delivery. This narrative review synthesizes recent progress in the design, functionalization, and clinical translation of polymer-based nanoparticles, with a focused scope on drug [...] Read more.

Polymer-based nanoparticle systems have emerged as a versatile platform for advancing precision medicine by enabling controlled, targeted, and multifunctional drug delivery. This narrative review synthesizes recent progress in the design, functionalization, and clinical translation of polymer-based nanoparticles, with a focused scope on drug delivery, diagnostics, theranostics, nanosponges, and regenerative medicine. Specifically, it highlights three key insights: (i) surface engineering strategies, including ligand conjugation and stealth coatings, substantially enhance targeting specificity and reduce off-target toxicity; (ii) stimulus-responsive polymers enable spatiotemporally controlled drug release, improving therapeutic outcomes in complex disease microenvironments; and (iii) integration with artificial intelligence (AI) supports the rational design of personalized nanomedicines based on patient-specific molecular profiles. The innovative nature of this review lies in its comprehensive approach, which combines material design parameters with clinical outcomes and the barriers to implementation. Despite significant progress, serious challenges remain, including scalable and reproducible manufacturing, regulatory harmonization, and comprehensive long-term biosafety assessment. In the future, the priority should be to develop reliable manufacturing processes, a harmonized regulatory framework, and data-driven, clinically validated design methodologies. Overall, polymer-based nanoparticles are poised to redefine targeted therapy, but their clinical impact will depend on bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and scalable, safe, and personalized medical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanosomes in Precision Nanomedicine (Second Edition))

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19 pages, 6165 KB

Open AccessArticle

Image Tracing of Inflammatory Intestinal Organoids via Computational Clearing

by Dong-Gyu Jeon, Min-Young Han, Hana Lee, Hanguk Hwang, Ji-Min Lee, Eun Soo Kim, Gang Ho Lee, Yongmin Chang, Mi-Young Son, Mae-Ja Park and Sung-Wook Nam

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 629; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100629 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Computational clearing (CC) enhances widefield (WF) fluorescence microscopy by suppressing out-of-focus haze and autofluorescence, yielding semi-confocal quality images suitable for segmentation and image-based phenotyping. Here, we propose an “image tracing” workflow for inflammatory mouse intestinal organoids (mIOs) using paired CC and WF images [...] Read more.

Computational clearing (CC) enhances widefield (WF) fluorescence microscopy by suppressing out-of-focus haze and autofluorescence, yielding semi-confocal quality images suitable for segmentation and image-based phenotyping. Here, we propose an “image tracing” workflow for inflammatory mouse intestinal organoids (mIOs) using paired CC and WF images to generate a differential signal (CC − WF). mIOs were derived from intestinal crypts of Lgr5-EGFP stem cell reporter mice and expanded under epidermal growth factor, Noggin, and R-spondin (ENR) conditions. Inflammation was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) treatment. CC processing enhanced phalloidin-stained apical F-actin and improved EGFP signals by reducing background noise, enabling robust segmentation and quantitative extraction of image morphometrics including area, circularity, and perimeter. CC-WF vectors derived from three-dimensional area–perimeter–circularity plots sensitively captured DSS-induced epithelial disruption analogous to a leaky-epithelium phenotype. Transcriptomic analysis by RNA-seq of DSS-treated mIOs revealed upregulation of inflammatory pathways including TNF-α signaling via NF-κB and IL-6/JAK/STAT3, aligning with microscopy findings. In a proof-of-concept demonstration using phalloidin-stained fluorescence images, ROC analysis of the CC-WF workflow achieved an AUC = 0.95 with 87.5% sensitivity and 92.9% specificity in distinguishing intact from injured mIOs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biology and Medicines)

77 pages, 7973 KB

Open AccessReview

Next-Generation SERS Probes: Engineering Hotspots, Intelligent Molecular Targeting, and AI-Driven Spectral Analysis for Emerging Applications

by Unmanaa Dewanjee, Shi Bai, Yury V. Ryabchikov, David Fieser, Sharma Pradakshina, Jie Jayne Wu, Marco Fronzi and Anming Hu

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 628; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100628 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has evolved from a fundamental optical phenomenon to a powerful, molecule-specific analytical technique capable of detecting ultra-trace-level species across biomedicine, catalysis, environmental monitoring, and national security applications. In this review, we summarize recent advances in SERS probe design and [...] Read more.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has evolved from a fundamental optical phenomenon to a powerful, molecule-specific analytical technique capable of detecting ultra-trace-level species across biomedicine, catalysis, environmental monitoring, and national security applications. In this review, we summarize recent advances in SERS probe design and fabrication along three major directions: (i) engineering plasmonic hotspots with enhanced field confinement to achieve stronger and more uniform signals; (ii) analyte-directed strategies that precisely position and retain target molecules via tailored surface chemistries, nanoscale confinement, and on-surface reactions for single hotspot SERS; and (iii) hybrid architectures integrating plasmonic metals with functional materials, including high entropy materials, semiconductors, and graphene and other 2D materials, to synergistically couple electromagnetic and chemical enhancement mechanisms. Despite significant progress, key challenges remain for practical applications outside laboratories, including substrate reproducibility and stability, diverse analyte compatibility, unknown molecule identification and standardized quantitative performance in complex environments. We highlight emerging solutions, such as large-area nanomanufacturing for controlled nanoscale gaps, high-resolution Raman mapping for spatial–temporal characterization, density-functional-theory-guided molecular interpretation, and machine-learning-enabled spectral analysis. Advances in foundational AI models and data-driven discovery are positioning SERS to become an increasingly versatile platform, from decoding unknown molecular structures to analyzing complicated multi-component systems for environmental, biomedical, and national security applications with high sensitivity and selectivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Functional Materials for Chemical Sensing and Environmental Sustainability: Trends, Concepts and Applications)

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13 pages, 1223 KB

Open AccessArticle

Controlled Chemical Synthesis of Color Centers in Nanocrystalline Silicon Carbide

by Sarah Morais Bezerra, Gabor Bortel, Sándor Kollarics, Adam Gali and David Beke

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100627 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Silicon carbide is a promising material for optically and spin-active point defects relevant to quantum applications. Quantum-relevant color centers are commonly generated by irradiation or implantation, which require specialized infrastructure and may introduce collateral lattice damage. Here, we present a chemical approach in [...] Read more.

Silicon carbide is a promising material for optically and spin-active point defects relevant to quantum applications. Quantum-relevant color centers are commonly generated by irradiation or implantation, which require specialized infrastructure and may introduce collateral lattice damage. Here, we present a chemical approach in which the influence of synthesis temperature, high-energy ball milling, and aluminum addition on formation, polytype distribution, and defect formation in SiC is investigated. We found that it is possible to create quantum-relevant defects throughout the chemical synthesis, and the temperature and mechanical activation are the dominant parameters governing defect generation. Photoluminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrate that low synthesis temperatures (1050–1150 °C) in high-energy ball-milled samples yield silicon vacancy and divacancy-related color centers, evidenced by characteristic near-infrared PL emission and high-spin EPR signals with zero-field splitting values D ≈ 1.3 GHz and D ≈ 270 MHz, consistent with neutral divacancies and V_Si–C_Si complex centers, respectively. An additional EPR signal at D ≈ 650–780 MHz, not matched by any previously reported defect configuration in SiC, is tentatively assigned to a second-nearest-neighbor divacancy-like (V_Si–V_C) pair. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Innovative Synthesis and Applications of Functional Nanomaterials)

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12 pages, 5924 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ni-Modified Defect-Engineered NH₂-UiO-66 for Efficient H₂O₂ Photosynthesis Coupled with Benzyl Alcohol Oxidation

by Yuan Chang, Zhenzi Li, Xuepeng Wang, Shuhua Liu, Bo Wang, Lijun Liao and Wei Zhou

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 626; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100626 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Photocatalytic H₂O₂ production coupled with selective organic oxidation provides a promising strategy for simultaneously generating value-added oxidants and chemicals under mild conditions. Herein, Ni-modified defect-engineered NH₂-UiO-66 photocatalysts (Ni/UN) are constructed by introducing Ni species into a vacuum-treated NH [...] Read more.

Photocatalytic H₂O₂ production coupled with selective organic oxidation provides a promising strategy for simultaneously generating value-added oxidants and chemicals under mild conditions. Herein, Ni-modified defect-engineered NH₂-UiO-66 photocatalysts (Ni/UN) are constructed by introducing Ni species into a vacuum-treated NH₂-UiO-66 framework (UN). Compared with the original NH₂-UiO-66 and the defect-treated UN, Ni/UN exhibits weakened photoluminescence emission, enhanced transient photocurrent response, and reduced electrochemical impedance, indicating that the separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers have been improved. The band structure analysis further reveals that Ni/UN has a narrow band gap of approximately 2.52 electron volts and a slightly more negative conduction band position (−0.50 V), which is conducive to the photoinduced reduction reaction. The importance of O₂ in the photocatalytic process was demonstrated by changing the atmospheric conditions. Therefore, in the benzylalcohol system, under the oxygen atmosphere, Ni/UN achieved the highest H₂O₂ production rate of 3257 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, accompanied by the continuous generation of benzaldehyde, with its content reaching 3420 μmol g⁻¹ after 60 min of irradiation. The scavenger experiment further indicates that photogenerated electrons and the active substances derived from oxygen are closely involved in the formation of H₂O₂, while the ·OH-related processes only play a limited contribution role. This study demonstrates an effective strategy for enhancing the performance of metal–organic framework (MOF)-based photocatalysts through defect engineering and metal coordination regulation, thereby achieving efficient photochemical production of hydrogen peroxide and the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Green Catalysis in Nanomaterials—Photocatalysis and Electrocatalysis)

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18 pages, 4298 KB

Open AccessArticle

High-Performance Infrared Photodetectors Based on Graphene Nanoribbon Vertical Heterojunctions via Dissociated Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

by Ziheng Li, Yu Sun, Muyang Li, Nan Han, Zeyuan Wang, Jihui Fan, Hui Zhou, Xiaoqing Jiang, Jie Li, Yafei Ning, Klaus Leifer, Mingyang Wang, Ming Gao, Hu Li and Aimin Song

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 625; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100625 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) inherit the exceptional carrier mobility of graphene while offering tunable bandgaps, making them promising for high-performance optoelectronics. Here, we report a high-performance near-infrared photodetector based on a p-GNR/Al₂O₃/n-Si vertical heterojunction, where GNR is directly produced by [...] Read more.

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) inherit the exceptional carrier mobility of graphene while offering tunable bandgaps, making them promising for high-performance optoelectronics. Here, we report a high-performance near-infrared photodetector based on a p-GNR/Al₂O₃/n-Si vertical heterojunction, where GNR is directly produced by dissociating double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs). The 10 nm Al₂O₃ interlayer serves as an effective barrier and passivation layer, suppressing dark current and enhancing interfacial charge separation. Under 1064 nm illumination, the device delivers outstanding performance. At −6 V bias, the responsivity and detectivity reach 159.55 A/W and 2.01 × 10¹² Jones, respectively. Notably, under zero-bias self-powered mode, it still achieves a high responsivity of 8.71 A/W, a detectivity of 1.15 × 10¹³ Jones, and a fast response time of 307.5 μs. These results fully validate the feasibility of GNR-based heterojunctions for high-performance optoelectronic devices and pave the way for their future integration into low-power, high-sensitivity photodetection systems and next-generation optoelectronic integrated circuits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nanoelectronics, Nanosensors and Devices)

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11 pages, 2225 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Performance of an Au/MoS₂/GaAs Photodetector by Room-Temperature Metal Electrode Transfer

by Chunxia Li, Weichao Jiang, Cong Qiu and Jingping Xu

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 624; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100624 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2026

Recently, self-powered MoS₂/GaAs photodetectors have attracted intensive attention. However, thermal processing following metal–electrode deposition tends to damage the lattice structure of MoS₂, leading to degraded device performance and poor consistency. In this work, Au/MoS₂/GaAs photodetectors are fabricated [...] Read more.

Recently, self-powered MoS₂/GaAs photodetectors have attracted intensive attention. However, thermal processing following metal–electrode deposition tends to damage the lattice structure of MoS₂, leading to degraded device performance and poor consistency. In this work, Au/MoS₂/GaAs photodetectors are fabricated using two different methods of transferring Au (Tr-Au) and thermal evaporation Au (TE-Au), and their photoelectric performances are compared. It is found that, compared to TE-Au devices, the Tr-Au devices exhibit higher responsivity (45.29 A/W) and detectivity (3.11 × 10¹³ Jones). The underlying mechanisms are attributed to a significant reduction in defect traps in MoS₂ and a smooth MoS₂/GaAs heterojunction interface, which collectively increase photocurrent and suppress dark current. Therefore, the room-temperature Au transfer method shows great promise for the fabrication of high-performance optoelectronic devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nanoelectronics, Nanosensors and Devices)

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27 pages, 3641 KB

Open AccessReview

Quantitative Wear Models for Microscale Material Removal

by Kailin Luo, Sijing Chen, Hai Li, Jian Liang, Ming Sheng, Qiuyang Tan, Yang Wang, Dingshun She and Li Zhong

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 623; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100623 (registering DOI) - 18 May 2026

Wear in microscale material removal is difficult to predict because material loss can proceed through several distinct pathways, including plastic deformation, adhesion, atom-by-atom attrition, tribochemical reactions, oxidation-assisted removal, and fracture. Since these mechanisms operate under different contact and environmental conditions, no single wear [...] Read more.

Wear in microscale material removal is difficult to predict because material loss can proceed through several distinct pathways, including plastic deformation, adhesion, atom-by-atom attrition, tribochemical reactions, oxidation-assisted removal, and fracture. Since these mechanisms operate under different contact and environmental conditions, no single wear law is reliable across all cases. This review examines the main quantitative wear models used in microscale material removal, from classical Archard-type and Reye-type relations to atomistic Arrhenius-type descriptions and models developed for adhesive, tribochemical, oxidation-related, and fracture-dominated wear. Attention is given to the assumptions behind these models, the regimes in which they remain useful, and the conditions under which their predictions begin to fail. The discussion also considers how material properties, tool characteristics, operating conditions, and environmental factors act alone and in combination to influence wear behavior and the reliability of different models. Across the literature, a consistent conclusion is that model selection is most reliable when it is based on the active wear mechanism and the evolving contact state. On this basis, practical guidelines are outlined for different classes of contacts, and current limitations are discussed, including poor treatment of regime transitions, difficulty in parameter identification, and the gap between atomistic models and engineering use. Future progress will depend on multi-regime modeling, better treatment of coupled effects, and improved in situ characterization under realistic operating conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nanofabrication and Nanomanufacturing)

20 pages, 3969 KB

Open AccessArticle

Silicon-Integrated Acid-Etched SnO₂/N-CNT Composite as a High-Capacity Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

by Soghra Hosseini, Arunakumari Nulu and Keun Yong Sohn

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 622; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100622 (registering DOI) - 18 May 2026

Herein, we report the rational design of an A-SnO₂/Si@N-CNT nanocomposite, fabricated via facile ball milling followed by high-temperature annealing. In this design, surface-modified SnO₂ (A-SnO₂) serves as the primary active framework, silicon nanoparticles are introduced to enhance overall [...] Read more.

Herein, we report the rational design of an A-SnO₂/Si@N-CNT nanocomposite, fabricated via facile ball milling followed by high-temperature annealing. In this design, surface-modified SnO₂ (A-SnO₂) serves as the primary active framework, silicon nanoparticles are introduced to enhance overall capacity, and nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) provide a conductive and mechanically resilient network. The incorporation of silicon nanoparticles and N-CNTs into A-SnO₂ facilitated the formation of strong Si–C and Si–O–Sn bonds, thereby improving electrical conductivity and structural stability and reinforcing interfacial interactions between the active materials and the conductive CNT matrix, resulting in superior electrochemical performance. Morphological analysis confirmed that the composite maintained structural stability without severe cracking after 100 cycles at 100 mA g⁻¹. The electrode delivered reversible capacities of 1002 and 622 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 and 0.5 A g⁻¹, with capacity retentions of 78.7% and 73.17%, respectively. Even at 1.0 A g⁻¹, a stable capacity of 441 mAh g⁻¹ with 80.96% retention was achieved. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of coupling surface-modified SnO₂ with Si- and N-doped carbon frameworks for advanced lithium-ion battery anodes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Advanced Nanomaterials for High-Performance Rechargeable Batteries)

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22 pages, 33335 KB

Open AccessArticle

First-Principles Study of Hazardous Gas Molecule Adsorption on Janus MoSTe Monolayer Modified with Surface Vacancy Defect

by Yuhui Zhu, Sheng Xu, Qiang Wang, Yanni Gu, Xiaoli Zhang and Xiaoshan Wu

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 621; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100621 (registering DOI) - 18 May 2026

Novel highly sensitive two-dimensional gas-sensing materials for detecting hazardous gases are crucial for human health, climate protection, and industrial development. In this study, density functional theory (DFT) was employed to investigate the adsorption and sensing properties of four representative hazardous gas molecules (NO, [...] Read more.

Novel highly sensitive two-dimensional gas-sensing materials for detecting hazardous gases are crucial for human health, climate protection, and industrial development. In this study, density functional theory (DFT) was employed to investigate the adsorption and sensing properties of four representative hazardous gas molecules (NO, NO₂, F₂, and Cl₂) on pristine and vacancy-defective (S vacancy and Te vacancy) Janus MoSTe monolayer. The introduction of a vacancy into the MoSTe monolayer significantly reduces the adsorption distances and enhances the adsorption energies and charge transfers. Notably, an S vacancy induces a transition in the adsorption behaviors of NO, NO₂, and Cl₂ on MoSTe from physisorption to chemisorption, and a Te vacancy leads to strong physisorption of NO and NO₂ on the MoSTe monolayer. Electronic structure analysis further reveals that gas molecule adsorption can modulate band gaps. Adsorption of F₂ and Cl₂ on the Te surface of pristine MoSTe converts the indirect bandgap into a direct bandgap. However, the calculation results for O₂ adsorption indicate that the S and Te vacancies in Janus MoSTe may be readily occupied by O₂, suggesting that it is not a good sensing material under atmospheric conditions. This study provides valuable theoretical insights and guidance for future experiments on vacancy-defective Janus MoSTe monolayer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section 2D and Carbon Nanomaterials)

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17 pages, 6312 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ultrathin S-Band Multifunctional Metamaterial with Broadband Microwave Absorption and Hydrophobic Characteristics

by Hongxu Jin, Huifang Pang, Renguo Guan, Siqi Yin, Wang An and Changfeng Wang

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 620; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100620 (registering DOI) - 18 May 2026

Effective absorption in the S-band usually requires relatively thick absorbing materials. However, growing application demands necessitate the development of high-performance materials with subwavelength thickness. This study presents a broadband absorbing metamaterial for the S-band, based on a novel structural design featuring a nested [...] Read more.

Effective absorption in the S-band usually requires relatively thick absorbing materials. However, growing application demands necessitate the development of high-performance materials with subwavelength thickness. This study presents a broadband absorbing metamaterial for the S-band, based on a novel structural design featuring a nested hexagonal metal resonant layer integrated with a carbonyl iron powder (CIP)/charcoal (CH)/epoxy resin (ER) composite slab. This structural innovation enables exceptional S-band absorption within a subwavelength thickness, effectively overcoming the inherent physical limitations of traditional materials. By combining the arch measurement method and simulations over the 2–18 GHz, we demonstrate that the metal resonant layer of the metamaterial plays a key role in controlling the electromagnetic field vector distribution. This work investigates the mechanism for enhancing S-band absorption in metamaterials through the redistribution of electromagnetic field vectors. Additionally, magnetic loss from CIP/CH/ER and dielectric loss from the resonators further enhance absorption performance. The designed absorbing metamaterial exhibits effective absorption at a thickness of only 2.25 mm, with a reflection loss (RL) below −10 dB from 2.2 to 3.8 GHz. Simultaneously, it can maintain a radar cross-section (RCS) below −10 dBm² in a wide-angle range of ±160°. Furthermore, a superhydrophobic coating with a contact angle of 152° was prepared for absorbing metamaterial. This coating allowed the metamaterial to preserve its microwave absorption performance while imparting self-cleaning capability. This study proposes a multifunctional absorbing metamaterial for efficient absorption in the S-band. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Physical Chemistry at Nanoscale)

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13 pages, 9683 KB

Open AccessArticle

Facile Electrodeposition Preparation of Low-Cost and High-Activity Nickel-Based Hydrogen Evolution Catalysts

by Hai-Chuan Zuo, Guang-Yang Lu, Hai-Bo Yang, Qian Chen, Jian-Ping Zeng, Yong-Gang Sun and Song Chen

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 619; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100619 (registering DOI) - 18 May 2026

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of hydrogen production by water electrolysis under alkaline conditions faces enormous challenges, namely, high catalyst overpotential and reliance on noble metal catalysts. As a transition metal, Ni has the advantages of low cost and excellent HER performance. This [...] Read more.

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of hydrogen production by water electrolysis under alkaline conditions faces enormous challenges, namely, high catalyst overpotential and reliance on noble metal catalysts. As a transition metal, Ni has the advantages of low cost and excellent HER performance. This study aims to develop high-activity and low-cost HER catalysts to replace noble metal catalysts. In this work, a composite structured HER catalyst based on Ni and hybridized with Ni(OH)₂ and NiO was prepared by multi-field coupled electrodeposition. Under the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), low overpotentials of 248 mV and 341 mV were achieved at current densities of 500 mA·cm⁻² and 1000 mA·cm⁻², respectively, making it more suitable for industrial high-current-density water electrolysis for hydrogen production. Moreover, the catalyst achieves long-term stable operation at a high current density of 1000 mA⋅cm⁻² in industrial-grade ALK water electrolysis, with highly stable microstructure and chemical composition before and after the durability test. Theoretical calculations show that compared with the NiM catalyst, Ni@NiM enhances the adsorption capacity for water molecules, further optimizes the ion transport of the catalyst, and the complementarity and synergy in the electronic structure among these multiple components significantly improve the HER activity of the catalyst. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Catalysts for Energy Conversion and Environmental Applications)

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19 pages, 604 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Exposure to Microplastics in Biological Matrices and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children: A Systematic Review

by Francesco Fabrizio Comisi, Andrea Maria Comisi, Elena Esposito and Vassilios Fanos

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 618; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100618 (registering DOI) - 18 May 2026

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants detected in numerous human tissues, yet epidemiological evidence on MNPs exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children has not been systematically evaluated. We aimed to systematically identify, appraise, and synthesize observational evidence on this association in [...] Read more.

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants detected in numerous human tissues, yet epidemiological evidence on MNPs exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children has not been systematically evaluated. We aimed to systematically identify, appraise, and synthesize observational evidence on this association in children aged 0–18 years. Six databases were searched on 19 February 2026 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD420261328979). Risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklists and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) framework. Three studies met the inclusion criteria (all published in 2025, China; n = 30–5670; two studies with probable population overlap), addressing behavioral, cognitive, and neurological outcome domains, encompassing 56 associations across 14 outcomes. Each study showed a uniform direction of association (higher MP exposure was associated with poorer outcomes); however, probable population overlap between Dong and Zheng precludes interpretation of this pattern as independent cross-study replication. All outcomes were rated Very Low certainty under GRADE; meta-analysis was not performed. Although experimental evidence supports biological plausibility, no causal inferences can be drawn in the absence of independent replication, and the field remains at the stage of hypothesis generation. Future studies should prioritize prospective longitudinal designs, spectroscopic exposure confirmation, and standardized neurodevelopmental outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Nanotechnologies for Climate Change and Pollution)

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18 pages, 2091 KB

Open AccessArticle

Manganese–Zinc Synergy in Prussian Blue Analogues for Long-Cycle Aqueous Zinc-Ion Battery Cathodes

by Jiangtao Pan, Yiyuan Yang, Xiaodong Liang, Qian Zhang, Junqing Huang, Debing Long, Xiyan Bao, Luyang Ge, Xiaolin Wu and Houzhao Wan

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100617 (registering DOI) - 17 May 2026

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are regarded as promising electrochemical energy storage devices owing to their low cost, intrinsic safety, abundant zinc reserves, and desirable specific capacity. Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) have been extensively investigated because of their inexpensive raw materials, ease of fabrication, [...] Read more.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are regarded as promising electrochemical energy storage devices owing to their low cost, intrinsic safety, abundant zinc reserves, and desirable specific capacity. Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) have been extensively investigated because of their inexpensive raw materials, ease of fabrication, open frameworks, and high theoretical specific capacity; however, the application of PBAs as cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) is hindered by poor cycling performance and limited capacity. In this work, a small amount of manganese ions was successfully introduced into the N-coordinated metal sites of zinc hexacyanoferrate (ZnHCF) to tailor its electrochemical stability. The N-coordinated metal species in PBAs directly influence the intercalation chemistry of Zn ions. The coexistence of manganese and zinc in manganese-substituted zinc hexacyanoferrates (MZHCFs) generates a synergistic effect that suppresses Jahn–Teller distortion and cathode material dissolution, endowing MZHCFs with superior cycling performance compared with PBAs containing a single N-coordinated metal (Mn or Zn). At a Mn content of 10%, a specific discharge capacity of 100 mAh g⁻¹ is achieved at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹, and the capacity retention is optimized, showing no decay relative to the initial discharge capacity after 2000 galvanostatic cycles. This study demonstrates that substituting the N-coordinated metal in PBAs with other metal ions is an effective strategy to improve their electrochemical cycling stability and capacity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Nanomaterials for Energy and Environmental Applications, 2nd Edition)

30 pages, 1444 KB

Open AccessReview

A Critical Review of Materials Enhancing the Performance of Polymer Membranes for Membrane Distillation of Saline Water

by Nobuhle C. Nyembe, Olawumi Sadare, Michael O. Daramola and David Lokhat

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 616; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100616 (registering DOI) - 17 May 2026

Membrane distillation (MD) is an attractive complementary technology to conventional desalination systems. Yet commercial uptake remains limited by membrane pore wetting, temperature polarisation, and material trade-offs. This review critically examines polymeric membranes and demonstrates that reported performance gains cannot be attributed to individual [...] Read more.

Membrane distillation (MD) is an attractive complementary technology to conventional desalination systems. Yet commercial uptake remains limited by membrane pore wetting, temperature polarisation, and material trade-offs. This review critically examines polymeric membranes and demonstrates that reported performance gains cannot be attributed to individual polymers or fillers alone, but rather to optimised structure–property interactions governing wetting resistance, mass transfer, and mechanical integrity. Through a comparative analysis of benchmark metrics (water flux, contact angle, and liquid entry pressure), we identify recurring failure mechanisms, including nanoparticle agglomeration, coating instability, and hydrophobicity-driven compromises in liquid entry pressure and durability. Moving beyond a descriptive summary of materials, this review introduces a predictive structure–property–performance framework that systematically links dominant operational limitations and targeted modification strategies. The analysis reveals that surface-localised, adhesion-controlled modifications outperform bulk approaches by preserving pore architecture while mitigating fouling and wetting risks. Key research priorities include validation under high-salinity conditions relevant to brine management, standardised environmental and leaching assessments of nanomaterials, scalable fabrication protocols supported by techno-economic considerations, and developments on bioinspired materials. By shifting focus from material novelty toward rational design principles, this review establishes actionable selection criteria to accelerate the translation of MD membranes from laboratory concepts to industrially viable desalination technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Advanced Nanofiltration Membranes in Water Purification)

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22 pages, 4215 KB

Open AccessArticle

Plasma–Induced Modification Mechanisms of PET Films: Correlated Evolution of Topographical Features and Surface Chemical States

by Yang Wang, Ying Yang, Jinlian Hu, Yuanyuan Lu, Xiaoyu Hao and Jun Zheng

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 615; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100615 (registering DOI) - 17 May 2026

The effects of RF plasma treatments using different gases (Ar, O₂, and N₂) and processing parameters on the surface wettability of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films were systematically investigated. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X–ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed [...] Read more.

The effects of RF plasma treatments using different gases (Ar, O₂, and N₂) and processing parameters on the surface wettability of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films were systematically investigated. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X–ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to characterize the evolution of surface topography and chemical composition. While all treatments enhanced hydrophilicity, the magnitude of improvement and the governing mechanisms were gas-dependent. Among them, O₂ plasma treatment exhibited the most pronounced effect: under optimal conditions (20 W, 80 s), the water contact angle (WCA) was reduced to 3.7°, indicating a superhydrophilic surface. This enhancement was primarily attributed to a substantial increase in surface oxygen content (O/C ratio) and the incorporation of strongly polar oxygen-containing functional groups, such as C=O and COOH. N₂ plasma offered moderate improvement via nitrogen-containing groups, while non-reactive Ar plasma relied primarily on physical etching, yielding the smallest enhancement. Analysis revealed that wettability evolution was dominated by increased polar surface energy from chemical functionalization, with surface roughness playing a synergistic role. These results demonstrate that optimizing plasma gas and parameters effectively controls PET wettability through the coupled regulation of surface chemistry and topography. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Protective Coatings and Surface Engineering for Advanced Materials)

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20 pages, 6649 KB

Open AccessArticle

Nanoformulated Walterinnesia aegyptia Venom Enhances Therapeutic Outcomes in Experimental Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Comparative Study of Hyaluronic Acid and Silver Nanoparticles

by Almaha Al-Aqil, Ibrahim S. Al Nasr, Hana Hakami, Faten Abou El Fadl, Chuanyi Wang, Mona Al-Shammari, Samiah Alotaibi, Sohaialah Alotaibi, Afnan Al-Qurashi, Huda Al-Rashid and Ebtesam Al-Olayan

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 614; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100614 (registering DOI) - 17 May 2026

Cutaneous leishmaniasis remains a major therapeutic challenge due to drug toxicity, resistance, and limited efficacy against intracellular parasites. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of nanoformulated Walterinnesia aegyptia (WA) venom using hyaluronic acid-based (WA-HA) and silver-based (WA-Ag) nanoparticles. Nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized [...] Read more.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis remains a major therapeutic challenge due to drug toxicity, resistance, and limited efficacy against intracellular parasites. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of nanoformulated Walterinnesia aegyptia (WA) venom using hyaluronic acid-based (WA-HA) and silver-based (WA-Ag) nanoparticles. Nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The antipromastigote activity of crude WA venom was assessed by MTT assay, and apoptosis induction was analyzed using Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide flow cytometry. In vivo efficacy was evaluated in BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major, with outcomes assessed by lesion progression, biochemical markers, histopathology, and PCR-based parasite detection. WA venom exhibited potent dose-dependent cytotoxicity (IC50 = 26.73 µg/mL) and induced predominantly apoptotic cell death. In vivo, nanoformulated WA significantly enhanced therapeutic outcomes compared with crude venom, with WA-HA achieving near-complete lesion resolution comparable to Amphotericin B. Treatment also reduced parasite burden, normalized liver enzyme levels, and restored hepatic and splenic architecture. These findings demonstrate that nanocarrier-based delivery markedly improves the therapeutic performance and systemic safety of WA venom, highlighting its potential as a promising nanotherapeutic strategy for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomedicine: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

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