Functionalized Bismuth Nanomaterials: Design and Application for Anti-Cancer Applications

This thesis explores the use of metallic bismuth in the form of extremely small particles called nanoparticles, where materials behave differently from their bulk counterparts due to size effects. At the nanoscale, bismuth exhibits unique magnetic, thermal, and optical properties, which can be harnessed for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The current research focused on designing and bio-functionalizing bismuth nanoparticles to make them more stable, biodegradable, and capable of specifically targeting cancer cells. By attaching small targeting molecules, such as peptide epitopes that recognize cancer-associated proteins like fibroblast activation protein (FAP), the nanoparticles were guided specifically to tumour tissue while avoiding healthy cells. In addition, other types of bismuth-based materials, including chalcogenides (such as bismuth oxide nanoparticles) and nanohybrids (i.e. POM decorated bismuth nanoparticles), were developed and characterized, offering potential for use in a broader range of biomedical applications.