Topic Editors

Department of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Palacky in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
Dr. Nekane Guarrotxena
Nanohybrid and Interactive Polymers Group, Institute of Polymer Science and Technology (ICTP), Spanish National Resaerch Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain

Functional Surface Modifications of Nanostructures

Abstract submission deadline
closed (31 July 2023)
Manuscript submission deadline
closed (31 October 2023)
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9074

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanostructures (comprising nanoparticles, nanoclusters, nanocrystals, nanorods, nanostars, etc.) are currently in the focus of many research groups mainly due to their unique features which are not accessible, nor possible to achieve in bulk materials containing the same chemical elements. The surface of nanostructures is a very important aspect, and particularly in nanoobjects of units of nanometers in diameter, the most dominant part. In general, surface represents an interface between the inner part of nanostructures and surrounding environment. In many cases, the surface dictates the resulting characteristics of nanostructures. It is thus no wonder that many researchers are examining the possibilities and limitations of nanostructure surface modifications. Functional surface modification of nanostructure surfaces can lead to improved properties and, consequently, improved applicability of the nanostructures. Functional surface modification can be performed either in the course of nanostructure formation, i.e., in situ modification, or later on, after nanostructure synthesis, i.e., post-synthetic modification. In fact, even the careful design of the synthetic procedure can be a way to achieve a controlled structure or composition at the nanomaterial surface. The major aim of this Topic is to collect original and innovative reports (original research papers, communications, or reviews) and developments dealing with functional modifications of nanostructure surface(s) leading to improved characteristics of nanostructures, such as better solubility, higher stability, reduced toxicity, enlarged applicability, etc.

Dr. Karolína Šišková
Dr. Nekane Guarrotxena
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • surface modification for improved characteristics
  • nanomaterial surface
  • surface properties of nano-objects
  • functional nanomaterials
  • coating of nanomaterials
  • design of nanomaterial synthesis
  • in situ surface modifications of nanomaterials
  • post-synthetic surface modifications of nanomaterials

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
ijms
5.6 7.8 2000 16.3 Days CHF 2900
Materials
materials
3.4 5.2 2008 13.9 Days CHF 2600
Nanomanufacturing
nanomanufacturing
- - 2021 23 Days CHF 1000
Nanomaterials
nanomaterials
5.3 7.4 2010 13.6 Days CHF 2900
Polymers
polymers
5.0 6.6 2009 13.7 Days CHF 2700

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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12 pages, 4268 KiB  
Article
Solid-State Dewetting of Thin Au Films for Surface Functionalization of Biomedical Implants
by Aliya Sharipova, Ivan Zlotver, Alejandro Sosnik and Eugen Rabkin
Materials 2023, 16(24), 7524; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma16247524 - 06 Dec 2023
Viewed by 969
Abstract
Biomaterial-centered infections of orthopedic implants remain a significant burden in the healthcare system due to sedentary lifestyles and an aging population. One approach to combat infections and improve implant osteointegration is functionalizing the implant surface with anti-infective and osteoinductive agents. In this framework, [...] Read more.
Biomaterial-centered infections of orthopedic implants remain a significant burden in the healthcare system due to sedentary lifestyles and an aging population. One approach to combat infections and improve implant osteointegration is functionalizing the implant surface with anti-infective and osteoinductive agents. In this framework, Au nanoparticles are produced on the surface of Ti-6Al-4V medical alloy by solid-state dewetting of 5 nm Au film and used as the substrate for the conjugation of a model antibiotic vancomycin via a mono-thiolated poly(ethylene glycol) linker. Produced Au nanoparticles on Ti-6Al-4V surface are equiaxed with a mean diameter 19.8 ± 7.2 nm, which is shown by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The conjugation of the antibiotic vancomycin, 18.8 ± 1.3 nm-thick film, is confirmed by high resolution-scanning transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Overall, showing a link between the solid-state dewetting process and surface functionalization, we demonstrate a novel, simple, and versatile method for functionalization of implant surfaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Functional Surface Modifications of Nanostructures)
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13 pages, 4076 KiB  
Article
Composition and Electronic Structure of La2O3/CNFs@C Core-Shell Nanoparticles with Variable Oxygen Content
by Evgeniya V. Suslova, Alexander N. Ulyanov, Alexey P. Kozlov, Denis A. Shashurin, Serguei V. Savilov and Georgy A. Chelkov
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(22), 2945; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano13222945 - 14 Nov 2023
Viewed by 863
Abstract
La2O3 nanoparticles stabilized on carbon nanoflake (CNF) matrix were synthesized and graphitized to produce core-shell structures La2O3/CNFs@C. Further oxidation of these structures by nitric acid vapors for 1, 3 or 6 h was performed, and surface-oxidized [...] Read more.
La2O3 nanoparticles stabilized on carbon nanoflake (CNF) matrix were synthesized and graphitized to produce core-shell structures La2O3/CNFs@C. Further oxidation of these structures by nitric acid vapors for 1, 3 or 6 h was performed, and surface-oxidized particles La2O3/CNFs@C_x (x = 1, 3, 6) were produced. Bulk and surface compositions of La2O3/CNFs@C and La2O3/CNFs@C_x were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. With increasing the duration of oxidation, the oxygen and La2O3 content in the La2O3/CNFs@C_x samples increased. The electronic structures of samples were assessed by electron paramagnetic resonance. Two paramagnetic centers were associated with unpaired localized and mobile electrons and were registered in all samples. The correlation between bulk and surface compositions of the samples and their electronic structures was investigated for the first time. The impact of the ratio between sp2- and sp3-hybridized C atoms, the number and nature of oxygen-containing groups on the surface and the presence and proportion of coordinated La atoms on the EPR spectra was demonstrated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Functional Surface Modifications of Nanostructures)
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13 pages, 7668 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Catechols on the Magnetization of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
by Stanislav Čampelj, Matic Pobrežnik, Tomas Landovsky, Janez Kovač, Layla Martin-Samos, Vera Hamplova and Darja Lisjak
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(12), 1822; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano13121822 - 08 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1307
Abstract
In this study, MNPs were functionalized with pyrocatechol (CAT), pyrogallol (GAL), caffeic acid (CAF), and nitrodopamine (NDA) at pH 8 and pH 11. The functionalization of the MNPs was successful, except in the case of NDA at pH 11. The thermogravimetric analyses indicated [...] Read more.
In this study, MNPs were functionalized with pyrocatechol (CAT), pyrogallol (GAL), caffeic acid (CAF), and nitrodopamine (NDA) at pH 8 and pH 11. The functionalization of the MNPs was successful, except in the case of NDA at pH 11. The thermogravimetric analyses indicated that the surface concentration of the catechols was between 1.5 and 3.6 molecules/nm2. The saturation magnetizations (Ms) of the functionalized MNPs were higher than the starting material. XPS analyses showed only the presence of Fe(III) ions on the surface, thus refuting the idea of the Fe being reduced and magnetite being formed on the surfaces of the MNPs. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed for two modes of adsorption of CAT onto two model surfaces: plain and adsorption via condensation. The total magnetization of both adsorption modes remained the same, indicating that the adsorption of the catechols does not affect the Ms. The analyses of the size and the size distribution showed an increase in the average size of the MNPs during the functionalization process. This increase in the average size of the MNPs and the reduction in the fraction of the smallest (i.e., <10 nm) MNPs explained the increase in the Ms values. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Functional Surface Modifications of Nanostructures)
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10 pages, 2496 KiB  
Article
Microencapsulation of Lead-Halide Perovskites in an Oil-in-Fluorine Emulsion for Cell Imaging
by Jia-Xin Wang, Chang Liu, Hao Huang, Rui He, Shengyong Geng and Xue-Feng Yu
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(9), 1540; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano13091540 - 04 May 2023
Viewed by 1239
Abstract
The superior optical properties of lead-halide perovskites (LHPs) inspired significant research in cell imaging applications; many encapsulating processes have improved perovskite stabilities with comparable biosafety. Herein, facile solvent evaporation encapsulation based on an oil-in-fluorine emulsion for aqueous-stable and extremely nontoxic LHP microcapsules is [...] Read more.
The superior optical properties of lead-halide perovskites (LHPs) inspired significant research in cell imaging applications; many encapsulating processes have improved perovskite stabilities with comparable biosafety. Herein, facile solvent evaporation encapsulation based on an oil-in-fluorine emulsion for aqueous-stable and extremely nontoxic LHP microcapsules is described. Perfluorooctane dispersed the emulsifier fluorocarbon surfactant to form a continuous fluorine phase, while LHPs and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) were dispersed in 1,2-dichloroethane, then emulsified in the fluorine phase to form an oil-in-fluorine emulsion. CsPbBr3 microcapsules with a dense PMMA shell that protect fragile CsPbBr3 from the external environment and inhibit lead ion release were obtained after solvent evaporation. The CsPbBr3 microcapsules not only retained 91% of fluorescence intensity after exposure to water for 30 d but also possess extremely low cytotoxicity for MCF-7 cells. After exposure to 2 mg/mL of CsPbBr3 microcapsules for 48 h, the cell viability remained >90%. The intracellular uptake of CsPbBr3 microcapsules indicates its potential use in cell imaging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Functional Surface Modifications of Nanostructures)
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14 pages, 1228 KiB  
Review
Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for the Determination of Cancer Biomarkers
by Greta Pilvenyte, Vilma Ratautaite, Raimonda Boguzaite, Arunas Ramanavicius, Roman Viter and Simonas Ramanavicius
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(4), 4105; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms24044105 - 18 Feb 2023
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3706
Abstract
Biomarkers can provide critical information about cancer and many other diseases; therefore, developing analytical systems for recognising biomarkers is an essential direction in bioanalytical chemistry. Recently molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been applied in analytical systems to determine biomarkers. This article aims to [...] Read more.
Biomarkers can provide critical information about cancer and many other diseases; therefore, developing analytical systems for recognising biomarkers is an essential direction in bioanalytical chemistry. Recently molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been applied in analytical systems to determine biomarkers. This article aims to an overview of MIPs used for the detection of cancer biomarkers, namely: prostate cancer (PSA), breast cancer (CA15-3, HER-2), epithelial ovarian cancer (CA-125), hepatocellular carcinoma (AFP), and small molecule cancer biomarkers (5-HIAA and neopterin). These cancer biomarkers may be found in tumours, blood, urine, faeces, or other body fluids or tissues. The determination of low concentrations of biomarkers in these complex matrices is technically challenging. The overviewed studies used MIP-based biosensors to assess natural or artificial samples such as blood, serum, plasma, or urine. Molecular imprinting technology and MIP-based sensor creation principles are outlined. Analytical signal determination methods and the nature and chemical structure of the imprinted polymers are discussed. Based on the reviewed biosensors, the results are compared, and the most suitable materials for each biomarker are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Functional Surface Modifications of Nanostructures)
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