Reactive oxygen species scavenging properties of ZrO2-CeO2 solid solution nanoparticles.

Aims: The hypothesis that an increase in defects in cerium oxide (CeO(2)) nanoparticles induced by solid solutions with differences in valency and ionic radius of the solute will yield superior reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers at room temperature will be tested.

Methods: Solid solutions of zirconium in CeO(2), that is, Ce(x)Zr(1-x)O(2) nanoparticles, were synthesized by a reverse micelle method. Their crystal structures, particle sizes and level of agglomeration were characterized.