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25th Anniversary of IJMS: Updates and Advances in "Materials Science" Section

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026 | Viewed by 8721

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Miklós Fried

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Guest Editor

Research Institute for Technical Physics and Materials Science Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
Interests: physical optics; sensor; Nanoparticle

Dr. Filippo Rossi

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Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
Interests: colloids; drug delivery; nanogels; tissue engineering; transport phenomena
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Dear Colleagues,

Materials science continues to be a driving force behind innovation across various fields, ranging from sensing, energy storage, and biomedicine to electronics and sustainability. This special issue invites cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews that showcase the latest achievements in the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of advanced materials. Particular attention is given to molecular-level understanding and interdisciplinary approaches that unveil new functionalities, enhance performance, and enable scalable solutions. Topics include—but are not limited to—nanomaterials, functional polymers, bio-inspired systems, complex intelligent and responsive materials, as well as sustainable materials innovations. The special issue welcomes submissions dealing with theoretical modeling and practical implementation strategies, too. Its aim is to foster collaboration among physicists, chemists, engineers, and biologists, encouraging a fruitful exchange of ideas that opens new horizons in materials science.

Dr. Miklós Fried
Dr. Filippo Rossi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

nanomaterials
functional polymers
bio-inspired systems
complex intelligent
responsive materials

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 3307 KB

Open AccessArticle

Two-Step Non-Food Valorization of Phaleria macrocarpa Fruit Lignin into Lignin Nanoparticles and Quantum Dots for Antibacterial and Bioimaging Applications

by Marisa Faria, Kavya Manoj, Deepa Bhanumathyamma, Nereida Cordeiro, Muhammad Haris, Parvathy Nancy, Lakshmi Manoj, Shanthi Prabha Viswanathan, Jiya Jose, Parvathy Radhakrishnan, Sreekala Meyyarappallil Sadasivan, Laly Aley Pothan and Sabu Thomas

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(4), 1945; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27041945 - 18 Feb 2026

Viewed by 361

Abstract

Lignin from Phaleria macrocarpa (Mahkota Dewa) fruit, a bioactive-rich cultivated medicinal biomass, was employed as a renewable precursor for lignin quantum dots (LQDs). A simple, aqueous, catalyst-free two-step route (lignin to lignin nanoparticles to LQDs) is demonstrated, enabling the valorization of non-food lignin into photoluminescent nanomaterials. The resulting LQDs were predominantly amorphous with short-range graphitic ordering and a narrow particle size distribution (3–5 nm). Structural and chemical analyses indicated a partially graphitized carbon framework enriched with oxygenated surface functionalities, which is consistent with their bright blue–green emission (λ_em of 490 nm; average fluorescence lifetime of 4.51 ns). Hydrothermal carbonization induced a blue shift in the UV–Vis absorption profile, resulting in a main band at 288 nm with a shoulder at 312 nm. The LQDs exhibited high cytocompatibility toward L929 mouse fibroblasts (93.1 ± 6.5% viability at 24 h) and were readily internalized by cells, facilitating green fluorescence live-cell imaging as a proof-of-concept. Antibacterial activity was observed against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, supporting dual biofunctional performance. Overall, this study established a green and scalable route for converting P. macrocarpa fruit lignin into multifunctional LQDs, with potential applications in circular-bioeconomy such as antimicrobial/active coatings and optical sensing in agro-industrial contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 25th Anniversary of IJMS: Updates and Advances in "Materials Science" Section)

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17 pages, 3345 KB

Open AccessArticle

Covalently Immobilized Mitomycin C on Polypropylene Sutures Creates a Non-Releasing Bioactive Interface That Modulates Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Fate and Prevents Intimal Hyperplasia

by Tzu-Yen Huang, Wei-Chieh Chiu, Ko-Shao Chen, Ya-Jyun Liang, Pin-Yuan Chen, Yao-Chang Wang and Feng-Huei Lin

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(3), 1328; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031328 - 29 Jan 2026

Viewed by 329

Abstract

Intimal hyperplasia (IH) at vascular anastomosis sites arises from endothelial injury, thrombin activation, and the subsequent proliferation and phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Existing clinically used systemic pharmacologic regimens (e.g., antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy) and reported local material-based strategies in the literature (e.g., drug-eluting sutures, hydrogels, or coatings) largely rely on drug release, which can result in burst kinetics, finite duration, and off-target/systemic exposure. We developed a covalently immobilized, non-releasing biointerface in which mitomycin C (MMC) is stably anchored onto polypropylene sutures via low-pressure, non-thermal acetic-acid plasma (AAP) activation. AAP functionalization introduced reactive oxygen-containing groups on polypropylene, enabling amide-bond immobilization of MMC while preserving suture mechanics. Anchored MMC exhibited potent contact-mediated regulation of VSMC fate, reducing metabolic activity to 81% of control, suppressing G₂/M progression, and inducing a dominant sub-G1 apoptotic population (66.3%), consistent with MMC-induced DNA crosslinking, p21 upregulation, and cyclin B1–CDK1 inhibition. In vivo, in a rat infrarenal aortic anastomosis model (male Wistar rats, 10–12 weeks, 300–350 g), MMC-anchored sutures markedly reduced arterial wall thickening and α-SMA and PCNA accumulation at 4 and 12 weeks, without overt evidence of systemic toxicity. Notably, no measurable MMC release was detected under the tested conditions, supporting that the observed bioactivity is consistent with an interface-confined mechanism rather than bulk diffusion. This work establishes a non-releasing suture-based platform that delivers sustained molecular regulation of vascular healing through interface-confined control of VSMC behavior. Covalent drug anchoring transforms a clinically used suture into an active therapeutic interface, providing a promising strategy to prevent pathological vascular remodeling and anastomotic IH. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 25th Anniversary of IJMS: Updates and Advances in "Materials Science" Section)

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18 pages, 2928 KB

Open AccessArticle

Water-Dispersible Supramolecular Nanoparticles Formed by Dicarboxyl-bis-pillar[5]arene/CTAB Host–Guest Interaction as an Efficient Delivery System of Quercetin

by Marco Milone, Martina Mazzaferro, Antonella Calderaro, Giuseppe T. Patanè, Davide Barreca, Salvatore Patanè, Norberto Micali, Valentina Villari, Anna Notti, Melchiorre F. Parisi, Ilenia Pisagatti and Giuseppe Gattuso

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(1), 516; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010516 - 4 Jan 2026

Viewed by 587

Abstract

Supramolecular nanoparticles offer an efficient strategy to enhance the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble therapeutic molecules. In this study, water-dispersible SNPs were successfully prepared from dicarboxyl-bis-pillar[5]arene (H) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) using a microemulsion method. Dynamic light scattering revealed that the resulting CTAB/H nanoparticles possessed a size distribution centered around 40 nm, a positive surface charge (+15 mV), and exhibited high colloidal stability over three months. ¹H NMR, 2D TOCSY, 2D NOESY, diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy, and UV-Vis investigations confirmed the inclusion of the CTAB alkyl chain within the pillar[5]arene cavity, supporting the formation of stable supramolecular assemblies capable of efficiently encapsulating the poorly water-soluble flavonol quercetin (Q). The CTAB/H system displayed low cytotoxicity (up to 50 µg/mL) and pronounced antioxidant activity, as evidenced by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Quercetin-loaded nanoparticles (CTAB/H/Q) enhanced cellular uptake and exhibited a marked cytoprotective effect against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 25th Anniversary of IJMS: Updates and Advances in "Materials Science" Section)

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23 pages, 5327 KB

Open AccessArticle

Holography Meets Theranostics: DFT/TDDFT Insights into Ru–NO@M₂₀ (M = Au, Ag) and Ru–NO@Au₁₀Ag₁₀(Pc) Nanohybrids as Phase-Switchable Molecular Devices

by Athanassios Tsipis and Niq Catevas

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(24), 12113; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262412113 - 16 Dec 2025

Viewed by 525

Abstract

Photo-induced bond linkage isomerization (BLI) in metal–nitrosyl compounds provides a molecular mechanism for controlling light-induced changes in refractive index and phase modulation. In this study, the ground and metastable states of a series of Ru–NO complexes and their Au₂₀, Ag₂₀, and mixed Au₁₀Ag₁₀ nanocluster hybrids were investigated by DFT and TDDFT calculations. The photochemical rearrangement between the linear, side-on, and O-bound forms of Ru–NO was examined together with their electronic transitions, oscillator strengths, and characteristic vibrational shifts. From these data, parameters describing radiative efficiency, non-radiative coupling, and metastable-state stability were derived to identify compounds with favorable properties for holography and photonic applications. Particular attention was given to the [(Salen)Ru(NO)(HS)@Au₂₀] complex, which shows a strong red-to-NIR response and balanced stability among its linkage isomers. Frequency-dependent polarizabilities α(ω) were calculated for its ground and metastable states and compared with those of the classical holographic material [Fe(CN)₅NO]²⁻ (nitroprusside). The refractive-index changes derived from α(ω) reveal that the Au₂₀–salen hybrid produces a much larger and more strongly wavelength-dependent Δn(λ) than nitroprusside. At 635 nm, the modulation reaches approximately 0.06 for the hybrid, compared with 0.02 for nitroprusside. This enhancement reflects the cooperative effect of the Ru–NO chromophore and the Au₂₀ nanocluster, which amplifies both polarizability and optical dispersion. The results demonstrate that coupling molecular photo-linkage isomerism with nanoplasmonic environments can significantly improve the performance of molecular systems for holography and optical-phase applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 25th Anniversary of IJMS: Updates and Advances in "Materials Science" Section)

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23 pages, 4169 KB

Open AccessArticle

Diffusion-Controlled Release of Bromelain from κ-Carrageenan Nanocomposite Hydrogels Reinforced with Bio-Derived Nanofillers

by Marisa Faria, Deepa Bhanumathyamma, Gladys Maria Reji, Aswin Sreenivas Baluseri Kuttiyatt, Ghanashyam Sivaprasad, Shanthi Prabha Viswanathan, Artur Ferreira, Jiya Jose, Sreekala Meyyarappallil Sadasivan, Laly Aley Pothan, Nereida Cordeiro and Sabu Thomas

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(23), 11438; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311438 - 26 Nov 2025

Viewed by 1506

Abstract

Biopolymer hydrogels are attractive matrices for localised enzyme and drug delivery owing to their intrinsic biocompatibility, biodegradability, and controlled release capacity. In this study, κ-carrageenan hydrogels were engineered as enzyme-delivery systems by reinforcing the matrix with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) or chitin nanowhiskers (ChNW) and loading bromelain as a model enzyme. The objective was to evaluate how nanofiller chemistry and morphology influence network structure and release behaviour. Parallel fabrication under identical conditions enabled a direct CNC-ChNW comparison. CNC reinforcement compacted the network and reduced swelling, whereas ChNW produced more hydrated and open architectures. Both fillers enhanced surface wettability, while their concentration modulated bulk hydration and diffusivity. Bromelain release over 24 h followed diffusion-controlled kinetics, tunable by filler type and loading. Quantitative topography and pore-size mapping supported structure–function correlations between morphology and transport. All hydrogels were bio-based, biodegradable, and fully cytocompatible, highlighting their suitability for sustainable biomedical applications. Overall, this work provides a quantitative structure-property-function framework for designing enzyme-active κ-carrageenan systems for tunable bromelain release and related biomedical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 25th Anniversary of IJMS: Updates and Advances in "Materials Science" Section)

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37 pages, 4547 KB

Open AccessReview

Functionalization of Textile Materials for Advanced Engineering Applications

by Andrey A. Vodyashkin, Mstislav O. Makeev, Dmitriy S. Ryzhenko and Anastasia M. Stoynova

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(6), 2708; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27062708 - 16 Mar 2026

Viewed by 539

Abstract

Textile materials represent a versatile class of engineering substrates widely used in apparel, domestic products, and medical protective systems. Despite their extensive application, large-scale textile production has seen limited integration of fundamentally new functionalization strategies. In recent years, however, advances in materials science have enabled the development of textiles with tailored electrical, adaptive, and biological functionalities. This review summarizes recent progress in the functionalization of textile materials with a focus on approaches relevant to engineering and industrial implementation. Particular attention is given to conductive textiles designed for operation under extreme environmental conditions, including low-temperature climates. Methods for integrating electrically conductive elements into fibrous structures are discussed, highlighting their potential for sensing, thermal regulation, and energy-related applications such as powering portable electronic devices. Inkjet printing is presented as a scalable technique for high-resolution deposition of conductive patterns while preserving the mechanical integrity and aesthetic properties of textile substrates. In addition, adaptive and stimuli-responsive textile systems are reviewed, including materials capable of responding to thermal, optical, or chemical stimuli, with applications in camouflage, wearable systems, and multifunctional surfaces. The review further addresses the development of bioactive textiles, emphasizing antibacterial functionalization using organic and inorganic agents to mitigate the spread of pathogenic microorganisms. The relevance of such materials has been underscored by recent global viral outbreaks. Overall, this work aims to provide a materials science perspective on emerging textile functionalization strategies and to facilitate the transition of these technologies from laboratory-scale research to practical engineering applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 25th Anniversary of IJMS: Updates and Advances in "Materials Science" Section)

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28 pages, 5255 KB

Open AccessReview

Structure Property–Application Relationships of Spinel Ferrite Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Functional Systems

by Mukhametkali Mataev, Altynai Madiyarova, Moldir Abdraimova, Zhanar Tursyn and Krishnamoorthy Ramachandran

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(5), 2096; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27052096 - 24 Feb 2026

Viewed by 542

Abstract

This review article provides a systematic analysis of synthesis methods, structural characteristics, and functional properties of spinel-structured ferrite nanoparticles (MFe₂O₄). The physicochemical principles, advantages, and limitations of various synthesis techniques—including co-precipitation, combustion, sol–gel, thermal decomposition, hydrothermal, solvothermal, microwave-assisted, sonochemical, electrochemical, and solid-state reaction methods—are comparatively discussed. The influence of synthesis parameters on crystal structure, morphology, and cation distribution between tetrahedral and octahedral sites, as well as on magnetic, dielectric, and optical properties, is critically analyzed. Furthermore, the capabilities of characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), FT-Raman spectroscopy, dielectric measurements, and magnetic measurements for investigating spinel ferrites are comprehensively summarized. Finally, the high potential of spinel ferrite nanoparticles for applications in electronics, microwave devices, water treatment, catalysis, sensors, and biomedical fields is highlighted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 25th Anniversary of IJMS: Updates and Advances in "Materials Science" Section)

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34 pages, 3716 KB

Open AccessReview

Emerging Nanomedicine Strategies for Chronic Disease Management Based on Chitosan

by Yaride Pérez-Pacheco, Deepak Parajuli and Ricard García-Valls

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(3), 1387; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031387 - 30 Jan 2026

Viewed by 464

Abstract

Chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, chronic respiratory diseases, autoimmune disorders, chronic kidney disease, persistent infectious diseases, diabetes, and ocular inflammation remain leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Their complex pathophysiologies and the limitations of conventional therapies underscore the urgent need for advanced drug delivery platforms that enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target effects and systemic toxicity leading to adverse reactions. Nanomedicine has emerged as a transformative approach, with chitosan-based nanocarriers offering advantages due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, mucoadhesive properties, and ability to be physic-chemically modified. These nanocarriers improve solubility, stability, bioavailability, and the therapeutic index of drugs, while enabling controlled release, targeted delivery, and immune modulation. This review highlights recent advances in chitosan-based nanomedicine for the management of chronic disease. We discuss methods of synthesis such as ionic gelation and electrospray, functionalization approaches, and immunomodulatory roles that expand therapeutic potential. The evidence emphasizes that chitosan nanocarriers are a versatile, safe, and effective platform which can be used to improve clinical results, reduce adverse effects, and advance the science of personalized medicine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 25th Anniversary of IJMS: Updates and Advances in "Materials Science" Section)

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50 pages, 5154 KB

Open AccessReview

Applications of Tailored Mesoporous Silicate Nanomaterials in Regenerative Medicine and Theranostics

by Jean Fotie

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(16), 7918; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26167918 - 16 Aug 2025

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3286

Abstract

Tailored mesoporous silicate nanomaterials have attracted significant interest due to their exceptional surface properties, including high interfacial toughness, tunable thickness, customizable topology, optical transparency, and adjustable hydrophobicity. These characteristics enable them to exhibit a wide range of functional behaviors, such as antibacterial, anti-fouling, anti-fogging, lubricating, and abrasion-resistant properties, to name just a few. With recent advances in surface-modified nanosystems for bioengineering and biomedical applications, silica-based nanomaterials have emerged as promising candidates owing to their ease of surface functionalization, bioactivity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioavailability. Consequently, they have been widely explored in various therapeutic contexts. This review provides a concise and concentrated summary of recent advances and applications of tailored mesoporous silicate nanomaterials in regenerative medicine and theranostics, with the primary focus being on how endogenous or exogenous triggers can be leveraged to achieve selective and precise delivery of various biomolecules and active therapeutics across diverse cellular environments, by harnessing the intrinsic properties of mesoporous silicate nanoparticles. This focus also guided the selection of specific examples provided to highlight their wide range of applications, with the report concluding with some perspectives and remaining challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 25th Anniversary of IJMS: Updates and Advances in "Materials Science" Section)

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