Enhanced Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging Activity by Doping Lanthanum in Ceria Nanocubes

Ceria nanoparticles have been reported to possess special antioxidant and catalytic properties due to their unique redox characteristics. In this study, single-crystalline CeO2 nanocubes were synthesized which demonstrated hydroxyl radical scavenging properties. In order to further enhance such activity, 10% lanthanum (La) was doped into the nanocubes by a hydrothermal method. The as-synthesized, La-modified ceria nanocubes presented improved radical scavenging activity spanning a range of concentrations and durations. The structure and redox behavior of the nanocubes were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high resolution electron microscopy (HREM), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), oxygen storage capacity (OSC), etc. A mechanism was proposed on how the incorporation of La could affect the redox as well as scavenging properties of CeO2 nanocubes. This new nanomaterial may be potentially used as protective agent in bioapplications.