Improving stability of cerium oxide nanoparticles by microbial polysaccharides coating

Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles (CONPs) are interesting biomaterials with various applications in biomedicine, cosmetics and the pharmaceutical industry, but with limited practical application because of their low stability in aqueous media. The aim of this study was to obtain CONPs with increased stability by coating the particles. Microbial exopolysaccharides (levan, pullulan) and glucose were used to prepare CONPs under different synthesis conditions. Coating was attempted by adding the carbohydrates during (direct coating) or after (subsequent coating) the synthesis of CONPs. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by X-Ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The suspension stability of the uncoated and coated CONPs in aqueous media was evaluated by measuring the hydrodynamic size, zeta potential and turbidity. The FT-IR spectra revealed the differences between coated CONPs and showed the success of subsequent coating with carbohydrates. Coating with carbohydrates improved the stability the CONP suspension by decreasing the size of aggregated particles. The suspensions of levan- and glucose-coated CONPs had the best stability. In this study, CONPs were prepared using non-toxic materials, which were completely environmentally friendly. The obtained results open new horizons for CONP synthesis, improving their biological applications.