Current Nanomaterials - Online First

Globally, breast cancer is the most prevalent malignant disease that affects females and is one of the major causes of cancer-related death for women. The first line of treatment for breast cancer consists of chemotherapy drugs combined with radiation and surgical intervention. However, because therapeutic agents do not yet reach the tumor site at sufficient concentrations, resulting in decreased pharmacokinetics and increased systemic adverse effects, pharmacotherapy has been altered. Chemotherapy for breast cancer is more effective and successful, and is less toxic when nanotechnology is employed. Many cancer forms develop multidrug resistance, which appears to be a critical factor in the failure of numerous chemotherapy treatment classes. Phytofabricated nanoparticles have been developed recently for targeted herbal drug administration, molecular biology screening of biological markers for malignancies, and in vivo cancer diagnostics. Phytofabricated polymeric nanoparticles are the most prominent and emerging nanocarriers that have gained much research attention in the field of novel drug delivery systems for real-time treatment of breast cancer (BC) tumors.

In herbal drug delivery technologies, the advancement of phytopharmacological science has led to the elucidation of the composition of phytoconstituents and their biological activities. Nano-sized herbal medicines can overcome inadequate bioavailability, in vivo degradation and toxicity, uneven distribution, intestinal absorption, and a non-specific site of action. The combinatorial strategy of employing both nanotechnology and herbal medications allows for therapeutic potentiation, which reduces the required dose and undesirable harmful effects. In the present study, a comprehensive search utilizes databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, etc, to locate the original research papers. In addition, diligent work is done to gather and update the progress of novel polymer-based nanocarriers for treating BC in the form of tables.

Researchers have devised innovative approaches to create and cultivate nanomedicine specifically targeted at breast cancer to attain even greater gains in drug resistance reversal, antitumorigenicity, antimetastasis, and disease specificity. Nanoparticles' exceptionally high surface area-to-volume ratio makes it possible to modify their surface characteristics for better therapeutic outcomes, i.e., cancer targeting, enhanced endocytosis and transcytosis, and extended circulation. This allows for more effective entry into tumor sites, metastasis, and cancer cells. Additionally, co-administration of phytochemical combinations may enhance additive or synergistic anticancer effects.

Breast cancer treatment with phytofabricated polymeric nanoparticles appears to be a potential avenue of research. Furthermore, the utilization of phytofabricated polymeric nanoparticles in conjunction with other loaded phytoconstituents or chemotherapeutics demonstrated encouraging outcomes in the treatment of BC. This article depicts a comprehensive new finding that formulation scientists are developing on phytochemical-based polymeric nanocarriers to pave the way for future pharmaceutical nanotechnology research.

Ultra-nanocrystalline diamond (UNCD) films, in the context of semiconductor and optoelectronic devices, represent a promising avenue for developing highly versatile and efficient technologies, leveraging their unique properties for versatile applications. The development of the unique morphology of UNCD films that could be used in versatile semiconductor/optoelectronics devices.

In this study, a microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition process was used to grow the UNCD thin films on silicon (100) substrates. The process was performed under various gas composition plasma atmospheres (H2, N2, Ar, and CH4) at a pressure of 120 Torr and the substrate temperature of 700°C after the creation of nano-sized diamond powder nucleation sites with a seeding density of ≈2×10¹²cm⁻². Scanning electron microscopy images and X-ray diffraction techniques were used to study the surface morphology and crystal structure. For the Raman spectroscopy technique, four different excitation wavelengths of LASER light (448, 515, 647 and 785 nm) were used to confirm the formation of higher sp³-content, grain boundaries, structural diamond phase, and their dispersive/non-dispersive spectral components. C1s, O 1s, and N 1s X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy technique was employed to study the electronic/bonding structure of UNCD thin films, whereas ultra-violet (UV) photoemission technique was used to determine the work functions (Φ) and valence band maximum (VBM) of the UNCD films.

Structural, electrical and electron field emission behaviours are strictly dependent on sp3-content presence in UNCD films structure.

It was observed that the nano-structured UNCD film was dependent on the sp³-content presence in the film structure along with sp³-content and grain boundaries. The lowest Φ and VBM were obtained when the H2 introduction was 8 sccm and 5 sccm, respectively. Electron field emission results showed that the turn-on electric field (E0) is increased with an increase in the introduction of H2 flow rate during the preparation of UNCD films, resulting in an increase in the sp³-content in the film structure. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics indicated that the conductivity of the films was low, with a current of ~10^-10 A.

The prepared UNCD films were found suitable for the fabrication of transient testing, memristors, and other versatile semiconductor/optoelectronics devices.

Polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) have emerged as promising drug delivery systems to overcome the limitations of conventional chemotherapeutics. Capecitabine, a prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), is widely used in cancer therapy but suffers from poor bioavailability and systemic toxicity. The application of the Quality by Design (QbD) framework in PNP development provides a structured approach to address these challenges. This review examines the QbD principles in the formulation and optimization of capecitabine-loaded PNPs, focusing on strategies to enhance therapeutic efficacy and minimize adverse effects.

The QbD approach encompasses defining a Quality Target Product Profile (QTPP), identifying Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs), and conducting risk assessments to pinpoint Critical Material Attributes (CMAs) and Critical Process Parameters (CPPs). Techniques such as Design of Experiments (DoE) facilitate systematic optimization.

Incorporating QbD principles ensures the development of robust PNP formulations with improved encapsulation efficiency, controlled drug release, and targeted delivery. Studies highlight the use of biodegradable polymers like PLGA, chitosan, and PEG for superior biocompatibility and stability. Analytical methods validate the consistency and quality of the nanoparticles.

The QbD framework enables the rational design of capecitabine-loaded PNPs with enhanced bioavailability and reduced toxicity, contributing to safer and more effective cancer treatments. Future research should explore novel polymeric systems and advanced manufacturing technologies to expand the therapeutic potential of PNPs in oncology.

With the aim to improve the thermal and mechanical characteristics of nanocomposites for cutting-edge engineering applications, this work looks at how nanotubes and nanodiamonds can be integrated into 3D printing processes.

The performance of 3D-printed products has been greatly enhanced by the addition of nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes as well as nanodiamonds into polymer matrices. While nanodiamonds offer remarkable hardness and thermal stability, carbon nanotubes are widely recognized for their better electrical conductivity and bending strength. Their qualities make them the best options for raising the calibre of nanocomposites that are 3D printed.

This paper looks at the effects of dispersion, functionalization, and synthesis of nanotubes and nanodiamonds on the mechanical and thermal properties of nanocomposites, taking into account the environmental impact, obstacles, and applications of these materials.

The techniques for adding nanotubes and nanodiamonds to 3D printing formulations were the main topic of a thorough literature study. A number of important factors were examined, including stability, toughness, elasticity, and tensile strength. The influence of uniform particle spread on overall composite performance as well as developments in dispersion technologies were reviewed in the paper.

The study found that the incorporation of nanotubes and nanodiamonds into 3D printing processes significantly improved the mechanical and biological properties of nanocomposites. These nanomaterials improved electrical conductivity and thermal stability, making them suitable for applications in electronics, aerospace, and biomedical fields. However, challenges such as high costs, ecological impacts, and long-term stability assessments remain.

Although there is potential for next-generation materials with the incorporation of nanotubes along with nanodiamonds in 3D-printed nanocomposites, issues such as uniform nanoparticle dispersion still need to be resolved.

Recent advancements in luminescent materials have drawn significant interest due to their wide-ranging applications in radiation detection, lighting, and display technologies. Praseodymium-doped phosphates, in particular, have shown promise because of their unique luminescent and scintillation properties.

This study aims to synthesize, characterize, and evaluate the luminescent and scintillation properties of praseodymium-doped polyphosphate LiLu(PO3)4, focusing on the potential applications of these materials.

LiLu(PO3)4:Pr³⁺ microcrystals were synthesized using the flux method, while nanocrystals were produced via the coprecipitation technique. The synthesized polyphosphates were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy.

LiLu(PO3)4:Pr³⁺ crystals were found to crystallize in the monoclinic C2/c space group with specific lattice parameters. The structural analysis revealed that the basic units are helical ribbons of (PO3)n formed by corner-sharing PO4 tetrahedra, with LuO8 dodecahedra and LiO4 tetrahedra forming linear chains. The incorporation of praseodymium ions resulted in the observation of both ultraviolet and visible luminescence under X-ray and laser excitations. UV emission, originating from 4f-5d → 4f² transitions, exhibited a very fast lifetime (τ4f-5d = 3 ns), while visible emission from transitions within the Pr³⁺ 4f² ground configuration showed a short decay time of approximately 100 ns.

The scintillation properties of LiLu(PO3)4:Pr³⁺ demonstrated promising results, indicating their potential for various high-performance applications, including solid-state lighting, bioimaging, and radiation detection.