Synthesis and Characterization of CeO2 Nanoparticles viaSolution Combustion Method for Photocatalytic andAntibacterial Activity Studies

CeO2 nanoparticles have been proven to be competent photocatalysts for environmental applications because of their strong redox ability, nontoxicity, long-term stability, and low cost. We have synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles via solution comb ustion method using ceric ammonium nitrate as an oxidizer and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as fuel at 450 °C. These nanoparticles exhibit goodphotocatalytic degradation and antibacterial activity. The obtained product was characterized by various techniques. X-ray diffraction data confirms a cerianite structure: a cubic phase CeO2 having crystallite size of 35 nm. The infrared spectrum shows a strong band below 700 cm−1 due to the Ce−O−Ce stretching vibrations. The UV/Vis spectrum shows maximum absorption at 302 nm. The photoluminescencespectrum shows characteristic peaks of CeO2 nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images clearly show the presence of a porous network with a lot of voids. From transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, it is clear that the particles are almost spherical, and the average size of the nanoparticles is found to be 42 nm. CeO2 nanoparticles exhibit photocatalytic activity against trypan blue at pH 10 inUV light, and the reaction follows pseudo first-order kinetics. Finally, CeO2 nanoparticles also reduce CrVI to CrIII and show antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Keywords:

CeO2 nanoparticles , photocatalytic , antibacterial , nontoxicity