Green nanotechnology focuses on the development of new and sustainable methods of creating nanoparticles, their localized assembly and integration into useful systems and devices in a cost-effective, simple and eco-friendly manner. Here we present our experimental findings on the use of the Leidenfrost drop as an overheated and charged green chemical reactor. Employing a droplet of aqueous solution on hot substrates, this method is capable of fabricating nanoparticles, creating nanoscale coatings on complex objects and designing porous metal in suspension and foam form, all in a levitated Leidenfrost drop. As examples of the potential applications of the Leidenfrost drop, fabrication of nanoporous black gold as a plasmonic wideband superabsorber, and synthesis of superhydrophilic and thermal resistive metal–polymer hybrid foams are demonstrated. We believe that the presented nanofabrication method may be a promising strategy towards the sustainable production of functional nanomaterials.

The dynamic underwater chemistry seen in nature is inspiring for the next generation of eco-friendly nanochemistry. In this context, green synthesis of size-tailored nanoparticles in a facile and scalable manner via a dynamic process is an interesting challenge. Simulating the volcano-induced dynamic chemistry of the deep ocean, here we demonstrate the Leidenfrost dynamic chemistry occurring in an underwater overheated confined zone as a new tool for customized creation of nanoclusters of zinc peroxide. The hydrodynamic nature of the phenomenon ensures eruption of the nanoclusters towards a much colder region, giving rise to growth of monodisperse, size-tailored nanoclusters. Such nanoparticles are investigated in terms of their cytotoxicity on suspension and adherent cells to prove their applicability as cancer nanotherapeutics. Our research can pave the way for employment of the dynamic green nanochemistry in facile, scalable fabrication of size-tailored nanoparticles for biomedical applications.

A novel biofunctionalized nanofibrous membrane is developed through immobilization of protein ligands on the surface of nanofibers. The biofunctionalization not only enhances the membrane's structural properties including mechanical and thermal ones but also makes the membrane capable to separate nanoparticles and biomolecules much smaller than the pore size from water efficiently. Upon contact with water, the conformational change of the protein immobilized leads to its swelling, thereby an enlarged functional surface area and a higher steric hindrance capturing the filtrates. In case of filtration of a plasmonic nanoparticle containing suspension, decoration of the membrane with the plasmonic nanoparticles forms a smart bionanocomposite biosensor for detection of protein denaturation. IntroductionMembrane technology for water treatment is steadily gaining very high importance worldwide. This is primarily due to water pollution and dwindling fresh water supplies leading to water scarcity. Water quality has to be controlled to ensure a safer environment by implementing efficient technologies such as advanced membranes offering more output with less input, that is, efficient energy saving membranes. Electrospun nanofibrous membranes (ENMs) that have the potential to be used as advanced membrane systems will be able to remove pollutants from the environment at lower energy and hence cost.1 Energy saving by ENMs derives from their high interconnected porosity leading to a very high permeability.2 Despite an extraordinary permeability, ENMs suffer from low size selectivity. Microfiltration (MF) range pore size of ENMs makes them efficient in removing relatively coarse particles and suspended solids but not tiny substances smaller than the pore size. [3][4][5][6][7] Considering the importance of separation of nanoparticles also organics that can be detrimental to the quality of water systems, optimizing the selectivity of such membranes could be crucial. Accordingly, not only the high permeability of the membrane is preserved but also on the basis of selectivity, the application domain would be extended from MF to ultrafiltration (UF) and even nanofiltration. Long-term functionality, that is, longevity of ENMs with regard to their extraordinary surface area thereby a higher exposed surface to the water streams is dependent on their mechanical stability. Hence, to maximize the efficiency of an ENM, besides the optimization of the selectivity, its mechanical stabilization should be also stressed.Here, we show that through one-single approach, that is, protein functionalization, an ENM can acquire mechanical and thermal stability while showing more optimum selectivity. Inspired by the