Produce Stable Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles for Multiple Uses

Abstract

The University of Central Florida has developed a technology for fabricating cerium nanoparticles (CNPs) suitable for biomedical applications. More importantly, companies can create CNPs that have the same material but comprise different properties. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) have been proven to exhibit antioxidant properties attributed to their surface oxidation states (Ce4+ to Ce3+ and vice versa) mediated at the oxygen vacancies on the surface of CNPs.

Using a wet chemical synthesis method, the invention enables companies to advantageously create homogenous, small-sized (3-5nm) particles with stable dispersion. By allowing the use of different precursor cerium salts (and placing them in different chemical environments), the technology gives companies control over the final CNP properties and bioactivity for various CNP compositions.

Technical Details

The UCF technology consists of a method and composition for synthesizing cerium nanoparticles and producing CNPs with different properties by varying the cerium precursor salt. One example embodiment modulates the surface chemistry and antioxidant capacity of cerium oxide nanoparticles by reducing a cerium precursor salt with a chloride anion (CNP-Cl). The CNPs are stable with a predominant 4+ surface charge, but they also exhibit significant superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic activity, a valuable defense against oxidative stress in the body. CNPs with higher Ce4+ on the surface are not known to exhibit high SOD mimetic activity, favoring catalase mimetic activity instead. Ranging from 1 nm to 20 nm, the CNPs comprise a zeta potential of more than 30 mV. Other examples show a remarkable ability to scavenge radiation-generated electrons and are therapeutically effective for treating radiation exposure.

Partnering Opportunity

The research team is seeking partners for licensing, research collaboration, or both.

Benefit

Market Application