Processes Webinar | Synthesis and Application of Nanomaterials
Processes Webinar | Synthesis and Application of Nanomaterials
Part of the MDPI Processes Webinar Series series
29 October 2025
Nanomaterial, Nanostructure, Nanoparticle, Nanoporous, Self-Assembly
Welcome from the Chair
14th Processes Webinar
Synthesis and Application of Nanomaterials
Over the past few decades, many fields of science and technology have been revolutionized by the introduction of nanomaterials and new approaches to the creation of nanostructures. These new materials can have entirely unique or improved electronic, chemical, magnetic, catalytic, mechanical, or biological properties, different from bulk forms of the material. Nanomaterials range from nanoparticles of various shapes and compositions to nanostructured films, coatings, and nanoporous bulk materials. Chemical, physical, or biological methods can be used to produce nanomaterials, ranging from precise top–down methods such as nanolithography to bottom–up methods, including self-assembly. Thermal, chemical, and electrochemical processes can all result in the formation of nanomaterials. Additionally, the range of materials covers many types of nanomaterials based on various forms carbon, silicon, metals or alloys, and polymers. These materials are contributing to revolutionary advances in the fields of medicine, energy, chemical and biological sensing, agriculture, catalysis, and many others. This webinar features three speakers cover a selection of topics in nanomaterials research and applications.
Date: 29 October 2025
Time: 3:00 pm CET | 9:00 am EDT
Webinar ID: 831 8919 0501
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com
Event Chair
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Missouri – Saint Louis, Saint Louis MO, USA
Professor Stine received his BS from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ and his Ph.D. from MIT. He was a postdoctoral fellow at UCLA and joined the UMSL faculty in 1990. He served as Chair of the Faculty Senate and University Assembly for two years and was appointed Department Chair on August 1, 2019. Dr. Stine's research effort involves studies of modified surfaces and nanostructures. The surface modification of nanostructures is pursued with a focus on their prospective applications in bioanalytical chemistry such as in immunoassays, sensors, or in separations. Immobilization of proteins onto nanostructures of gold and other materials is pursued by adsorption or by covalent linkage to self-assembled monolayers. The characterization of these nanostructures by microscopy (SEM, TEM, AFM) is actively pursued. The bioanalytical application of these materials is pursued using primarily electrochemical methods such as impedance spectroscopy and voltammetry. Nanoporous gold and other related materials are of particular interest due to their high surface area and capacity to be surface modified, as well as their support of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). The preparation and characterization of these materials uses a range of electrochemical techniques and other analytical methods including gas adsorption isotherm analysis for determination of pore size, distribution, and surface area, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for analysis of surface loading. Nanoporous gold is being used for the development of electrochemical sensors for small molecules such as pollutants and hormones. Other projects concern the study of lipid monolayers and bilayers as models of processes occurring at the surface of cell membranes, and the use of these monolayers in molecular recognition studies. Monolayers are studied using surface pressure isotherms and atomic force microscopy of transferred layers.
Invited Speakers
Presentation Title: Carbon Dots Conundrum: A Chemical Perspective Abstract Nanostructured materials have attracted a great deal of interest in recent years and the number of applications proposed for them has boomed. Their use in biological environment has become one of the ‘hot’ issues. Several applications have in fact been proposed, such as drug delivery, cancer therapy, localized heating and biolog¬ical probes. All these uses are supported by scientific reports and papers that assess nanomaterials viabilities and outstanding properties. However, when the bridge from proof of concept to real world product needs to be crossed, as human beings are involved, requirements on material characterization become very stringent. Without a thorough characterization, in fact, it is not possible to check nano particles reproducibility and hence assess that they will behave in the same way with respect to the desired application as well as biocompatibility. In this talk we will focus on carbon dots, i.e. carbon based almost 0-d (size of a few nm) nanostructures. Carbon dots can be produced in different ways, even starting from natural derived chemicals like citric acid and urea. After a brief description of a few routes to produce carbon dots we will focus on their structural composition in order to establish strong correlation between chemical features and physiochemical properties.
Dr. Bartoli graduated in Chemistry summa cum laude from the University of Florence (Italy) in 2013 and obtained his Ph.D. in 2016. After the Ph.D. graduation, he moved to Biorefinery research Group hosted by University of Alberta where he contributed to develop new materials for catalytic applications and new technologies. During this period, he also worked as head of R&D for Forge Hydrocarbon a spin-off company of University of Alberta solving several issues of the innovative lipid-to hydrocarbon technology for renewable hydrocarbon production. In 2018, he joined the Carbon Group hosted by Polytechnic of Turin working on reactivity of carbon nanomaterials and inorganic nanoparticles. Since, 2021, he is adjunct Professor of chemistry and researcher at Italian Institute of Technology.
Graduate and Research Division, Engineering Faculty, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas, Querétaro, Mexico
Presentation Title: Bio-nanomaterials as Novel Fertilizers and Stimulants in the Agricultural Sector Abstract Nanomaterials (NMs) have become a significant tool in agriculture by enhancing crop production, protection, and sustainability. They offer innovative solutions to address climate change, soil degradation, and food security challenges. NMs improve the efficiency of fertilizers and pesticides, facilitating better absorption and reducing waste. Also, NMs enhance plant growth by increasing chlorophyll content, root and shoot lengths, and stress tolerance. They also aid in seed germination and nutrient uptake, leading to better crop yields. By optimizing resource use and reducing waste, nanotechnology in agriculture promotes environmental stewardship and cost-effectiveness. Several studies are showing diverse approaches to deliver NMs into the plant-soil system to have the maximum benefits and the lowest consequences, trying to make this practice as sustainable as possible. The effects depend on the type of plant/crop, then, how the NMs are delivered to the vegetal system, the concentration, the morphology or shape, their nature, surface charge, and whether the NMs may form agglomerates. However, the NMs use in agriculture also raises concerns about potential toxicity and environmental impacts, necessitating careful regulation and risk assessment. Ensuring public acceptance of nanotechnology in agriculture requires transparent communication about its benefits and risks, alongside robust regulatory frameworks. Balancing innovation with safety will be crucial for the sustainable integration of nanotechnology in agriculture.
Full-time professor at the Autonomous University of Queretaro in the Nanotechnology department of the Engineering Faculty. She has worked at the university since 2011. She has been a member of the National System of Researchers (SNI) of the National Science and Technology Council since 2012, currently at level 2. Throughout her short career as a research professor, her goal has been to contribute to scientific and technological development and give back to the scientific community through published research. Within the work, different topics of scientific interest stand out, such as new methods for synthesizing nanostructured materials through chemical processes assisted by external energy sources like sonochemistry and microwaves. The materials that have been developed have applications as smart materials, in advanced oxidation processes for the treatment of water and air, as well as for their toxicological and elicitor evaluation in plant species. The results of this research have been published in various high impact indexed scientific journals; also, she has formed human capital through undergraduate and graduate students.
Name (Speaker 3) Presentation Title: Hybrid Layered Double Hydroxides as Multifunctional Platforms in Biomedicine Abstract This talk will present a strategy for synthesizing hybrid layered double hydroxide (LDH) particles with antioxidants, focusing on stabilizing both their biological activity and commercial formulation. It will also demonstrate how the same process can be used to obtain these compounds directly from their natural source. It will also address how LDH can be modified to preserve the low dimensionality and give rise to multifunctional materials with biomedical applications of great interest, from contrast agents for MRI to controlled drug delivery vehicles, representing an emerging approach in nanomedicine. Specific examples of antioxidants will be discussed, demonstrating how these materials enhance the stabilization and enable their commercial application. Finally, the challenges, such as the control of biocompatibility, the scalability of synthesis, and the projection towards clinical applications, will be discussed.
Gregorio Guadalupe Carbajal Arízaga is a Tenured Associate Professor at the University of Guadalajara (Mexico) since 2011. He holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Guadalajara (2000). He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Federal University of Paraná, Brazil (2008), and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, UNAM (2009–2011). His research focuses on solid-state chemistry, especially in the synthesis of multifunctional materials based on layered double hydroxides and carbon dots. Before his academic career, he worked as an analytical chemist in laboratories for asphalt, water, soil, and food analyses (1992–2002), an experience that strengthened his applied approach to research and teaching. Dr. Carbajal Arízaga has co-authored 98 peer-reviewed articles (45% as first or corresponding author) and 5 book chapters. He has supervised 24 master/doctoral theses, and is co-inventor of 4 granted patents, including one transferred to industry. He serves as a reviewer for 43 international journals and collaborates on R&D projects with industry. Web of Science ID: I-3548-2013 SCOPUS ID: 9236534000 ORCID: 0000-0003-3120-0243 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gregorio-Carbajal-Arizaga http://lattes.cnpq.br/2350583852994186
Registration
This is a FREE webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.
Certificates of attendance will be delivered to those who attend the live webinar.
Can’t attend? Register anyway and we’ll let you know when the recording is available to watch.
Program
|
Time (CET) |
Program and Content |
|
15:00 - 15:10 |
Chair Introduction Prof. Keith Stine |
|
15:10 - 15:30 |
Carbon Dots Conundrum: A Chemical Perspective Speaker: Professor Mattia Bartoli Nanostructured materials have attracted a great deal of interest in recent years and the number of applications proposed for them has boomed. Their use in biological environment has become one of the ‘hot’ issues. Several applications have in fact been proposed, such as drug delivery, cancer therapy, localized heating and biolog¬ical probes. All these uses are supported by scientific reports and papers that assess nanomaterials viabilities and outstanding properties. However, when the bridge from proof of concept to real world product needs to be crossed, as human beings are involved, requirements on material characterization become very stringent. Without a thorough characterization, in fact, it is not possible to check nano particles reproducibility and hence assess that they will behave in the same way with respect to the desired application as well as biocompatibility. In this talk we will focus on carbon dots, i.e. carbon based almost 0-d (size of a few nm) nanostructures. Carbon dots can be produced in different ways, even starting from natural derived chemicals like citric acid and urea. After a brief description of a few routes to produce carbon dots we will focus on their structural composition in order to establish strong correlation between chemical features and physiochemical properties. |
|
15:30 - 15:50 |
Bio-nanomaterials as Novel Fertilizers and Stimulants in the Agricultural Sector Speaker: Professor Karen Esquivel Escalante Nanomaterials (NMs) have become a significant tool in agriculture by enhancing crop production, protection, and sustainability. They offer innovative solutions to address climate change, soil degradation, and food security challenges. NMs improve the efficiency of fertilizers and pesticides, facilitating better absorption and reducing waste. Also, NMs enhance plant growth by increasing chlorophyll content, root and shoot lengths, and stress tolerance. They also aid in seed germination and nutrient uptake, leading to better crop yields. By optimizing resource use and reducing waste, nanotechnology in agriculture promotes environmental stewardship and cost-effectiveness. Several studies are showing diverse approaches to deliver NMs into the plant-soil system to have the maximum benefits and the lowest consequences, trying to make this practice as sustainable as possible. The effects depend on the type of plant/crop, then, how the NMs are delivered to the vegetal system, the concentration, the morphology or shape, their nature, surface charge, and whether the NMs may form agglomerates. However, the NMs use in agriculture also raises concerns about potential toxicity and environmental impacts, necessitating careful regulation and risk assessment. Ensuring public acceptance of nanotechnology in agriculture requires transparent communication about its benefits and risks, alongside robust regulatory frameworks. Balancing innovation with safety will be crucial for the sustainable integration of nanotechnology in agriculture. |
|
15:50 - 16:10 |
Hybrid Layered Double Hydroxides as Multifunctional Platforms in Biomedicine Speaker: Dr. Gregorio Guadalupe Carbajal Arizaga This talk will present a strategy for synthesizing hybrid layered double hydroxide (LDH) particles with antioxidants, focusing on stabilizing both their biological activity and commercial formulation. It will also demonstrate how the same process can be used to obtain these compounds directly from their natural source. It will also address how LDH can be modified to preserve the low dimensionality and give rise to multifunctional materials with biomedical applications of great interest, from contrast agents for MRI to controlled drug delivery vehicles, representing an emerging approach in nanomedicine. Specific examples of antioxidants will be discussed, demonstrating how these materials enhance the stabilization and enable their commercial application. Finally, the challenges, such as the control of biocompatibility, the scalability of synthesis, and the projection towards clinical applications, will be discussed. |
|
16:10 - 16:25 |
Q&A Session |
|
16:25 - 16:30 |
Closing of Programme Chair: Prof. Keith Stine |
Relevant Special Issue
Synthesis and Applications of Nanomaterials
Edited by Prof. Dr. Keith J. Stine
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025
Sponsors and Partners
Organizers
