Synthesis, structural characterisation, optical studies of CeO₂ nanoparticles and its cytotoxic activity

Abstract

Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesised using cerium nitrate and ammonium hydroxide precursor with sodium dodecylbenzenesulphonate as a surfactant. Ceria nanoparticles were characterised by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction spectrum and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cytotoxicity of the ceria nanoparticles was carried out using the MTT assays method. The XRD results confirmed the crystalline nature of the ceria nanoparticles with face-centred cubic phase structure. The TEM results revealed that the nano CeO2 possesses 1-D rod-like morphology with particle size in the range of 62–78 nm. In vitro cytotoxicity showed that the synthesised ceria nanorods have the potential to kill the breast cancer cells.