Cerium oxide nanostructures: properties, biomedical applications and surface coatings

Cerium oxide nanoparticles have significantly improved catalytic properties and are of increasing interest in the nanoparticle research field hence the current trends in cerium oxide nanoparticles are reviewed here. Unlike previous reviews which have focused primarily on the biosynthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles, their properties, and applications, this review will focus on the unique physical, chemical, and biological properties of cerium oxide nanoparticles, the role of oxygen vacancies or defects in the lattice structure, the ratio of oxidation states in determining their catalytic properties and applications in biosensing, drug or gene delivery, etc. have been discussed. Furthermore, the limitations of the bare form of cerium oxide nanoparticles and the advances in the field of surface coating by different ligands to overcome the issues of bare nanoparticles have been discussed. The review concludes with a discussion on the environmental aspects and toxicity of cerium oxide nanoparticles and their potential future in practical applications.

Automated summary

This review focuses on the unique physical, chemical, and biological properties of cerium oxide nanoparticles, the role of oxygen vacancies or defects in the lattice structure, the ratio of oxidation states in determining their catalytic properties, and their applications in biosensing, drug or gene delivery, etc. The limitations of bare nanoparticles and the advances in surface coating with different ligands to overcome these issues are also discussed. The review concludes with a discussion on the environmental aspects and toxicity of cerium oxide nanoparticles and their potential future in practical applications.