La-Doped CeO Quantum Dots: Novel Dye Degrader, Antibacterial Activity, and Molecular Docking Analysis.

The current work demonstrates a novel synthesis of different concentrations of La-doped (2, 4, and 6 wt %) CeO quantum dots (QDs) using a hydrothermal approach. This research aimed to examine the dye degradation efficiency, antibacterial activity, and molecular docking analysis of La-doped CeO QDs. The structure, elemental composition, optical properties, -spacing, and morphological features of QDs were examined using various methods. XRD spectra exhibited the cubic structure of CeO, and the crystallinity was suppressed upon La doping. TEM revealed the formation of cubic-shaped QDs of CeO, and the incorporation of La decreased agglomeration. UV-vis absorption spectra showed a red shift upon La doping, assigned to a decrease in band gap energy. 6% La-doped CeO showed significant antibacterial activity against at higher concentrations in comparison to ciprofloxacin. La-CeO was proposed as a putative inhibitor of β-lactamase and DNA gyrase relying on the outcomes of a molecular docking analysis that was in improved accord with bactericidal activity. Moreover, the prepared QDs exhibited a remarkable photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue in a basic medium.