2026-03-31
Arkady V. Krasheninnikov, Matthias Batzill, Anouar-Akacha Delenda, Marija Drndić, Chris Ewels, Katharina J. Franke, Mahdi Ghorbani-Asl, Alexander Holleitner, Ado Jorio, Ute Kaiser, Daria Kieczka, Hannu-Pekka Komsa, Jani Kotakoski, Manuel Längle, David Lamprecht, Yun Liu, Steven G. Louie, Janina Maultzsch, Thomas Michely, Katherine Milton, Anna Niggas, Hanako Okuno, Joshua A. Robinson, Marika Schleberger, Bruno Schuler, Alexander Shluger, Kazu Suenaga, Kristian S. Thygesen, Richard A. Wilhelm, E. Harriet Åhlgren and Carla Bittencourt
Abstract Compared to bulk solids, defects in low-dimensional materials and, specifically, 2D systems are expected to have a stronger effect, detrimental or beneficial, on their properties. Owing to their geometry, defects in 2D materials can easily be formed due to the interaction with the environment or under impacts of energetic particles, such as ions and electrons. At the same time, many concepts of defect production under irradiation in bulk systems are not applicable for 2D materials or require substantial modifications. Various aspects of the physics and chemistry of defects in 2D materials have been addressed, and the results of these investigations are presented in hundreds of research papers and review articles. However, the challenges and open questions that still remain in the field have received relatively little attention. These topics were recently addressed at the symposium “Defect-mediated engineering of nanomaterials for energy and quantum applications” organized by the Beilstein-Institut. Following the discussions at the symposium, here, we present the challenges and open questions in our understanding of the behavior of defective 2D materials, interaction of energetic particles with low-dimensional targets, and defect-mediated engineering of the properties of 2D systems. We further discuss possible solutions to these problems or suggest “work-arounds”, which should accelerate the progress in the field. Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 454–488. doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.31
2026-03-25
Thayse Viana de Oliveira, Ana Paula Farias Leão, Júlia Leão, Cesar Liberato Petzhold and Ruy Carlos Ruver Beck
Abstract This proof-of-concept study evaluated whether semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing could be used to fabricate multilayer topical films that simultaneously enhance skin bioadhesion and photoprotection of curcumin, a highly photolabile anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound. The development of topical films for cutaneous delivery faces several challenges, including the need for strong skin adhesion and the protection of photolabile actives from light exposure. We hypothesized that multilayered films designed for the cutaneous delivery of curcumin and produced by SSE could address these limitations. To overcome its poor solubility and enhance bioadhesion, curcumin was encapsulated in polymeric nanocapsules (C-NCs), yielding a mean particle size of 218 ± 5 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.10 ± 0.02, a zeta potential of −11 ± 4 mV, and 100% encapsulation efficiency. Films were fabricated containing either C-NCs (F C-NC ) or unloaded curcumin (F C ) and consisted of three layers, namely, a chitosan-based bottom layer, a middle layer of carboxymethylcellulose and alginate, and a carboxymethylcellulose top layer incorporating titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ). The lower and intermediate layers contained C-NC or curcumin. The final films (15 × 15 × 1.5 mm) contained 282.20 ± 7.75 µg and 246.80 ± 6.70 µg of curcumin in F C-NC and F C , respectively. Films containing the bottom chitosan layer exhibited the highest bioadhesion, while the presence of a TiO 2 top layer effectively prevented UVC-induced photodegradation, supporting our hypothesis. Furthermore, the presence of C-NCs in F C-NC films promoted higher bioadhesion. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the feasibility of integrating nanocarriers with 3D printing technology to engineer multilayer polymeric films for cutaneous application, offering enhanced bioadhesion and photoprotection. This work demonstrates how additive manufacturing can be used to design hierarchically structured, nanocarrier-integrated systems with spatially resolved functionalities. Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 440–453. doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.30
2026-02-26
Esperanza Yamile de la Nuez-Pantoja, Inocente Rodríguez-Iznaga, Gerardo Rodríguez-Fuentes, Vitalii Petranovskii, Ariel Martínez García, José Juan Calvino Gámez and Daniel Goma Jiménez
Abstract Natural zeolites have great potential as nutrient carriers to develop eco-efficient materials for massive use in agriculture. Zeolitic minerals usually contain only one dominant zeolite type. The use of minerals with mixtures of zeolites in similar proportions can affect the interaction of chemical species with the zeolitic matrix, altering the behaviour of the resulting materials. In this work, a mineral consisting mainly of a mixture of two zeolites, mordenite (MOR) and clinoptilolite-heulandite (HEU) with equivalent fractions, was used to develop materials carrying nutrients (N, P, and K) for agricultural crops. The mineral matrix provides important elements such as K and Si, while N and P were incorporated into the material by treatment with ammonium hydrogenphosphate and urea. The presence of superficially adsorbed PO 4 3− , NH 4 + exchanged in zeolites, and urea arranged on the surface so that it covers the material and interacts with the zeolitic frameworks, was evidenced by Fourier-transform IR spectroscopy, adsorption measurements, scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and other methods, as well as through culture tests. The complexity of the multiphase zeolitic support leads to changes in the position and intensity of FTIR bands compared to other similar materials developed using simpler zeolitic carriers dominated by HEU zeolite. The most intense NH 4 + band was observed at 1402 cm −1 , while for a HEU zeolite it was at 1540 cm −1 . This difference was associated with a higher NH 4 + content in MOR compared to HEU. Accordingly, the shift experienced by the urea amino group bands when it interacts with the frameworks of these zeolites is different. The applied treatments did not affect the structures (as evidenced by XRD) and other qualities of these zeolites, highlighting their ion-exchange and adsorption properties for nutrient release and reversible water retention. This is essential for the use of this material as a slow-release fertilizer that efficiently provides nutrients for the agroecological development of plants, as evidenced in the cultivation tests. Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 381–395. doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.26