Synthesis, Characterization of CeO2 nanoparticles via Eco-friendly green combustion technique and its antimicrobial, anticancer activities.

Abstract

Cerium oxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by simple, in expensive, ecofriendly by greener route method using citrate containing Artocarpus gomezianus fruit as fuel. The structure and morphology of the products were characterized by Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). PXRD data confirms a cerianite structure: a cubic phase CeO₂. Rietveld refinement was performed to estimate the cell parameters. UV-Vis spectrum shows maximum absorption at 278 nm. SEM images clearly show the presence of a porous network with a lot of voids and the average crystallite sizes were found to be ~20 nm. Spherical CeO₂ nanoparticles exhibit significant antibactericidal activity against Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus and antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Malassezia furfur using the zone of inhibition method. The study successfully demonstrates synthesis of spherical CeO₂ nanoparticles by simple eco-friendly green combustion method. The obtained product exhibited excellent anticancer activity by MTT assay.