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.