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Influence of Cu content in CeO2 nanoparticles on their antibacterial properties

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Abstract

The CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs) with different Cu contents were synthesized, and their antibacterial activity was evaluated quantitatively. It was performed for two of the antibiotic-resistant microorganisms that require urgent attention. The materials were synthesized by co-precipitation method in an alkaline medium (pH 9) using a concentration of 20 mM of Cerium nitrate with three different amounts of Copper nitrate (1, 3, and 5 wt%) content. Polyvinylpyrrolidone was used as a dispersing agent, and ammonium hydroxide was used as a precipitant. The obtained NPs were characterized using different techniques to determine the change in properties due to the Cu dopant amount. The X-ray diffraction, electron microscope techniques, and BET method were used to know the particle’s structure, morphology, and porosity. From diffraction patterns, all samples showed a cubic CeO2 structure and no additional peaks belonging to Cu or CuO phases. The crystal size and lattice parameters obtained by Rietveld refinement of XRD patterns decrease slightly according to Cu content, and the d-space of (1 1 1) plane is agreed with the shifting of this intensity toward low angles (2θ). The SEM images show agglomerated particles with sizes between 0.2 and 4 μm, and the TEM images show spherical shape particles with sizes between 7 and 9 nm. The elemental mapping analysis revealed that the Cu atoms are dispersed in the CeO2 particles. All samples show a specific surface area between 90 and 130 m2/g, and there are ink-bottle-shaped mesopores. The quantitative antibacterial test was evaluated according to the ASTM E2149-20 standard procedure. The highest inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) was 72%, with the sample containing 3 wt% Cu. Meanwhile, the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) was 48% with the highest Cu Content (5 wt%) with 48 μg/mL of NPs. A significant difference was observed between the antibacterial activity of pure CeO2 and Cu-doped CeO2 NPs. However, increasing the Cu content in the CeO2 NPs or increasing the concentration of NPs for the evaluation is necessary to find adequate inhibition for this bacterium.

Graphical Abstract

The graphical abstract describes the main steps of this research. Firstly, the CeO2 NPs synthesized with different amounts of Cu salt precursor. Then, their characterization by different techniques let us know the physicochemical properties. Finally, the quantitative antibacterial test against two strains was carried out.

Highlights

  • The co-precipitation method allows for obtaining nanoparticles with high surface area.

  • The size of the CeO2 nanoparticle changes according to Cu content.

  • Copper atoms were dispersed homogeneously in the CeO2 nanoparticles.

  • The CeO2 nanoparticles enhanced their antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus depending on the Cu quantity content.

  • The influence of Cu content in CeO2 on antibacterial activity was evaluated quantitatively.

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Acknowledgements

LEPJ acknowledges to CONAHCYT for her Ph.D. graduate fellowship with support number 803759. Thanks to Luis de la Torre Sáenz and Andrés Isaak González Jacquez for their technical help at CIMAV. Thanks to the Micology Lab at UACH and Cindy Villalba for their help with the antibacterial tests. Thanks to the Semiconductors Lab CICTAT at UJAT for the facilities to carry out the materials synthesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Av. Universidad S/N, Zona de la Cultura, Col. Magisterial, Vhsa, Centro, 86040, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México

    Limny Esther Pérez-Jiménez, Erik Ramírez-Morales & Lizeth Rojas-Blanco

  2. Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Circuito Universitario, Campus Universitario No. 2, 31125, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México

    Laila Nayzzel Muñoz-Castellanos

  3. Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados, S.C. (CIMAV), Av. Miguel de Cervantes #120, Complejo Industrial Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Chih, C.P. 31136, México

    Francisco Paraguay-Delgado

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  1. Limny Esther Pérez-Jiménez
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. LEPJ performed the experimental synthesis and the first draft. Conceptualization, formal analysis of characterization techniques results and general supervision were performed by ERM, LRB and FPD. The antibacterial test and the formal analysis of antibacterial activity section were performed by LNMC. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Francisco Paraguay-Delgado.

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Pérez-Jiménez, L.E., Ramírez-Morales, E., Muñoz-Castellanos, L.N. et al. Influence of Cu content in CeO2 nanoparticles on their antibacterial properties. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-024-06363-3

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