Synthesis and characterization of luminescent cerium oxide nanoparticles

Aims: Fluorescent cerium oxide (ceria) nanoparticles were developed through incorporation of erbium into the lattice. Catalytic properties and luminescent behavior are examined. Materials & methods: Cerium-erbium mixed oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by the reverse micelles route. Purity, size, and composition were characterized. Catalytic properties were measured using a hydrogen peroxide assay, and the luminescence properties were determined by confocal microscopy. Results: The nanoparticles exhibited enhancement of the catalytic properties with increasing erbium content to 10 mole% in the cerium oxide lattice; and they demonstrated emission at 515 nm and 572.5 nm under 405 nm UV excitation in aqueous conditions. Conclusion: Erbium incorporation into ceria-based nanoparticles were developed, having catalytic properties similar to and better than purely synthesized ceria and luminescent properties under UV irradiation by confocal microscopy.