Green Synthesis Techniques for Sulphur Nanoparticles: Current Methods and Future Perspectives

Abstract: In recent years, cancer has emerged as a significant public health challenge, prompting extensive research into the development of innovative anticancer therapies capable of selectively inducing cell death or halting the proliferation of cancer cells. Harnessing the distinctive characteristics of nanomaterials, advancements in nanotechnology have played a pivotal role in the progression of nanomedicine for cancer treatment. Various nanomaterials, such as gold, silver, silica, and carbon nanoparticles, have been investigated for their potential in drug delivery systems. Meanwhile, sulfur, with its abundant chemically diverse organic and inorganic compounds exhibiting a range of biological functions from antioxidant properties to antibacterial and anticancer capabilities, has garnered significant attention. Sulphur nanoparticles (SNPs) find widespread application in diverse fields such as lithium sulfur batteries, sulphur-based photocatalysts, and antimicrobial agents. Despite their extensive utilization in non-biomedical domains, such as drug delivery and cancer prevention strategies, SNPs face challenges when employed for biomedical purposes. Concerns include toxicity, limited reactivity, and the substantial particle size of SNPs, which hinder their effectiveness as drug delivery carriers. To overcome these obstacles, surface modifications of SNPs are necessary to enhance their biomedical applicability.