Mohammad Ashfaq

Wound healing is a highly complex biological process encompassing hemostasis, cellular proliferation, inflammation, and tissue remodelling, which are strongly influenced by the mechanical microenvironment of the wound site. Wound healing remains a critical clinical challenge due to the constraints of traditional dressing materials, which often lack sufficient mechanical strength, flexibility, and adaptability to wound microenvironments. In this context, carbon-based two-dimensional nanomaterials (CB-2DMs) such as graphene, graphene oxide (GO), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C ₃ N ₄ ), and carbide-MXene have emerged as promising candidates for smart wound-dressing materials due to their remarkable mechanical strength, flexibility, and tunable physicochemical characteristics. Moreover, CB-2DMs incorporated into polymers make them exceptional candidates for smart wound-dressing materials, which can effectively mimic skin mechanics and maintain structural integrity under physiological stress. This review article focuses on CB-2DMs-based wound dressing materials and their mechanical characteristics, such as tensile strength, stiffness, elasticity, and durability. Additionally, we discuss the synergy between mechanical characteristics and biological functionality, such as wound healing rate and antibacterial activity. The review also discusses the current challenges and offers a promising platform for engineering CB-2DMs-based wound dressing materials to overcome these challenges and promote efficient wound healing, and how the mechanical characteristics enhance performance, stability, and clinical translation ability.

The unrelenting existence of organic contaminants (OC) in water systems poses a severe threat to the environment and human health. Therefore, there is a need to develop sustainable and efficient water treatment technologies. In this aspect, semiconductor (SC)‐based photocatalyst (PC) has emerged as a next‐generation material for the photo‐degradation of OC. However, its practical application is often limited by low quantum efficiency, rapid recombination rate, and lower visible‐light utilization. In this context, creating heterojunctions has gained significant attention from researchers to enhance photocatalytic performance by improving charge separation and the adsorption of photons. This article summarizes the recent advances in numerous heterojunction systems such as type‐I, type‐II, Z‐scheme, S‐scheme, Schottky, and p‐n junctions, with a focus on their design, structural‐activity, and interfacial charge transfer mechanisms. With emphasis on the role of band alignment and surface reactive species that boost the photo‐oxidation of OC. Additionally, the design of heterojunctions, photocatalytic reaction pathways, and factors influencing degradation efficiency are discussed. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives for the rational design of next‐generation heterojunction PC for the photo‐degradation of OC are highlighted. Therefore, this article offers newer insights for the development of highly efficient and scalable heterojunction‐based photocatalytic systems for OC.

Two-dimensional materials (2DMs) have attracted substantial attention due to their exceptional thermal, tensile, chemical, and mechanical properties, making them promising candidates for designing next-generation polymeric membranes. Incorporating 2DMs with polymers not only improved selectivity and permeability but also considerably enhanced mechanical robustness, thereby improving long-term stability and durability, which are among the greatest challenges today. This review article provides new insights into advancements in 2DMs and 2DMs-based polymeric membranes, with particular emphasis on mechanical strength and their roles in environmental remediation. We also discussed how different 2DMs interact with polymers to address issues such as anti-fouling, stability, and durability in polymeric membranes. Additionally, we explore the challenges associated with polymeric membranes and how we can overcome them by using different 2DMs to develop a multifunctional 2DMs-polymer hybrid membrane that bridges mechanics with environmental remediation applications.

Tetracycline (TC) antibiotics are partially metabolized in humans and animals, which leads to environmental toxicity. At the same time, waste materials (WMs) significantly increase the burden of environmental remediation, especially laboratory waste materials (LWMs), ranging from chemicals to clinical waste. Therefore, there is a requirement to degrade TC antibiotics from wastewater by using LWMs. In this aspect, this study focuses on the synthesis of laboratory waste‐derived (LWD) CuI and immobilized onto the surface of cellulose filter (CF). Initially, LWMs were collected and carbonized to produce LWD–CI and then immobilized onto the surface of CF to produce LWD–CICF‐based photoresponsive filter. The band gap values of LWD–CI, CF, and LWD–CICF‐based photoresponsive filters were observed to be ∼ 2.97 eV, ∼4.74 eV, and ∼1.67 eV, respectively. Interestingly, upon immobilization of LWD–CI onto the surface of the CF, the band gap value of LWD–CI and CF significantly decreases, which might enhance the photoresponsive efficiency against antibiotics. The as‐prepared LWD–CICF‐based photoresponsive filter efficiently degraded TC antibiotics. The maximum photoresponsive degradation of TC antibiotics ∼95.8%, ∼77%, and ∼63% was observed in 10 mg/L, 5 mg/L, and 1 mg/L of TC antibiotics, respectively, using 60 min of solar irradiation. Moreover, ∼100% photoresponsive degradation of TC antibiotics was observed at pH 10. The data suggested that the as‐prepared LWD–CICF‐based photoresponsive filter might be effective for photoresponsive degradation of TC antibiotics. Therefore, the synthesis of as‐prepared LWD–CICF‐based photoresponsive filter is facile, cost‐effective, sustainable, and a next‐generation solution for the removal of environmental pollutants.

The present study focuses on the synthesis of coconut shell-derived biochar (BC), molybdenum disulfide (MoS ₂ ), and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) (BC/MoS ₂ /PAA) composite.

Biomaterials have been investigated to diagnose and treat various diseases, mainly cancer and diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and infectious disease management. Although most studies focus on the use of different biomaterials in the domain of the development of rapid, ultra-sensitive sensors, transdermal patches, microneedle-based delivery systems, vaccines, optometry, and agriculture (Chen et al., 2022;Drabczyk et al., 2024a;Wang et al., 2024a;Wang et al., 2024b). There are many reasons to choose biomaterials, which have revolutionized advanced medicine and offer exceptional opportunities for diagnosing and treating diseases (Li et al., 2021;Pablos et al., 2024). With the advancement in modern medicine, researchers try to explore newer avenues that help to interplay between materials sciences, especially nanomaterials, biological interactions, and their clinical applications to unveil the potential of biomaterials for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases (Alshangiti et al., 2023;Huang et al., 2024). This special issue, “Biomaterials and Biologicals for Disease Treatment,” highlights the latest advancements in biomaterials and biologicals for treating diseases by using advanced approaches and revolutionary research addressing global health challenges. Combining biomaterials and biologicals into therapeutic approaches has ushered in a newer era of precision medicine (Lu et al., 2024). Biomaterials comprise polymers, metals, non-metals, and ceramics, engineered to interact with biological systems to augment therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, biological cells and growth factors provide functional components that must address the main cause of diseases. Indeed, such tactics have facilitated innovations in drug delivery, tissue engineering, medicine, and immunotherapy (Drabczyk et al., 2024b;Lele et al., 2024;S. et al., 2024;Sanchez Armengol et al., 2024).Numerous studies suggested the roles of biomaterials in numerous end applications. For example, Ertas et al. focused on the role of biomaterials in diagnosing and treating coronavirus. Biomaterials can effectively contribute to developing newer vaccines, drug delivery, and new therapeutic agents, which can be used to treat coronavirus (Ertas et al., 2021). Another study focuses on the use of biomaterials in dry eyes; with the help of biomaterials, the therapeutic efficacy of drugs significantly increases, which helps to control dry eye diseases. Although only a few studies have been published on treating dry eye diseases, it is difficult to compare the role of different biomaterials in dry eye disease (Thacker et al., 2023). Additionally, long-term studies would be required to evaluate ocular toxicity and biocompatibility, which might enhance their transition to human use (Thacker et al., 2023). Likewise, another group focuses on the different classes of biomaterials, mainly microneedle-based delivery systems for treating insulin delivery, anti-aging properties, cancer, wound healing, sensors, and agriculture. Microneedle-based technology offers a newer avenue for the treatment and diagnosis of diseases, as its painless delivery system (Wang et al., 2016;Jin et al., 2018;Ganeson et al., 2023;Hu et al., 2024;Kumari et al., 2024). Another approach is polymer-bioconjugates, as conjugation of polymers with numerous biomolecules including growth hormones, proteins, DNA, and RNA provides next-generation tools, which are easily achieve therapeutic efficacy through the delivery of biomolecules (Chen et al., 2020;Barman et al., 2023;Sun et al., 2023). Indeed, there are many more examples of biomaterials and their applicability to treating diseases. As we assume the next-generation prospect, it’s obvious that biomaterials will continue to play a decisive role in disease management. Future research integrating sensing capabilities and artificial intelligence integration will allow for real-time biomaterial changes to better address the treatment of diseases. Additionally, to increase the material's longevity as well, this may also incorporate materials that can self-heal. As researchers continue to innovate with biomaterials, the distribution of clinical trials will shift to focus on these future biomaterials and their clinical applications. Increases in composites and combinations, autologous materials, and bioactive and bioresorbable materials are anticipated due to the development of these advanced biomaterials (Lele et al., 2024). This issue includes understanding the current research of biomaterials on treating various diseases, discussing imminent therapeutic implications, and fostering a deeper understanding of researchers for future research and clinical application. For instance, Ali et al. focus on synthesizing laboratory-prepared transparent 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-based Fresnel lenses for ocular management (Ali et al., 2024). Zhou et al. focus on the multi-model triggered release nanocarriers for the treatment of colon cancer (Zhou et al., 2024). Pisheh et al. focus on the amniotic membrane as a biological scaffold for treating cardiovascular diseases (Rayat Pisheh et al., 2024). Another study focuses on nanomaterials for the photothermal treatment of myocardial infarction (Yang et al., 2024). Indeed, these studies significantly improved the understanding the biomaterials and biologics for the treatment of diseases. ConclusionBiomaterials have transformed advanced medicine, providing exceptional opportunities for diagnosing and treating diseases. This editorial reveals how biomaterials and biologicals manage the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Understanding the roles of biomaterials and biologicals is paramount to managing diseases. We believe that this special issue might provide newer avenues to understand biomaterials’ role, which can translate into clinical practices.