Synthesis of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Using Various Methods: Implications for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Cerium oxide nanoparticles have been used in a number of non-medical products over the years. The therapeutic application of these nanoparticles has mainly been due to their oxidative stress ameliorating abilities. Their enzyme-mimetic catalytic ability to change between the Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺ species makes them ideal for a role as free-radical scavengers for systemic diseases as well as neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we look at various methods of synthesis (including the use of stabilizing/capping agents and precursors), and how the synthesis method affects the physicochemical properties, their behavior in biological environments, their catalytic abilities as well as their reported toxicity.

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease; blood-brain barrier; cerium oxide nanoparticles; neurodegenerative disease; oxidative stress; physicochemical properties; synthesis methods.

Figure 1

Crystal lattice and (100), (110), and (111) surfaces of cerium oxide nanoparticles [11], used with no changes under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 International License (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License).

Figure 2

A depiction of some of the causes of oxidative stress and the redox action of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) [15], used with no changes under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/).

Figure 3

HRSEM images of cerium oxide nanoparticles in different morphologies; (a) nanorods, (b) nanocubes, and (c) nanospheres [19], used with no changes under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).