Carbon Nanoparticles Generated from Natural Sugars: Green Synthesis Approaches, Adsorption Mechanisms for Phenolic Compounds, and Potential Roles in Nanomedicine for Pancreatic Cancer

Abstract

Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) derived from natural sugars have gained significant attention as sustainable nanomaterials due to their low-cost precursors, simple synthesis, and environmentally friendly fabrication routes. Recent advances in green synthesis approaches—such as hydrothermal carbonization, microwave-assisted processes, and pyrolytic conversion—have enabled the production of highly tunable CNPs with controlled size, morphology, and surface functionalities. These structural features play a critical role in determining the adsorption behavior of CNPs toward phenolic compounds, offering promising applications in environmental remediation and water purification. Moreover, the inherent biocompatibility, photostability, and surface modifiability of sugar-derived CNPs have introduced new opportunities in nanomedicine, particularly in drug delivery systems for pancreatic cancer therapy. Functionalized CNPs exhibit enhanced cellular uptake, controlled drug release, and the ability to selectively target pancreatic cancer cells through active and passive targeting mechanisms. This review provides a comprehensive overview of green synthesis routes, physicochemical properties, adsorption mechanisms of phenolic contaminants, and emerging biomedical applications of sugar-based CNPs, with a special emphasis on their potential as innovative nanocarriers in pancreatic cancer treatment.