Gadolinium Doping Modulates the Enzyme-like Activity and Radical-Scavenging Properties of CeO Nanoparticles.

Their unique physicochemical properties and multi-enzymatic activity make CeO nanoparticles (CeO NPs) the most promising active component of the next generation of theranostic drugs. When doped with gadolinium ions, CeO NPs constitute a new type of contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging, possessing improved biocatalytic properties and a high level of biocompatibility. The present study is focused on an in-depth analysis of the enzyme-like properties of gadolinium-doped CeO NPs (CeO:Gd NPs) and their antioxidant activity against superoxide anion radicals, hydrogen peroxide, and alkylperoxyl radicals.

Facile Synthesis of Stable Cerium Dioxide Sols in Nonpolar Solvents.

A method is proposed for the preparation of stable sols of nanocrystalline cerium dioxide in nonpolar solvents, based on surface modification of CeO nanoparticles obtained by thermal hydrolysis of concentrated aqueous solutions of ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate with residues of 2-ethylhexanoic and octanoic acids. The synthesis was carried out at temperatures below 100 °C and did not require the use of expensive and toxic reagents. An assessment of the radical-scavenging properties of the obtained sols using the superoxide anion-radical neutralization model revealed that they demonstrate notable antioxidant activity.