A Detailed Insight into the Effects of Morphologies of Cerium Oxide on Fenton‐like Reactions for Different Applications

Abstract

AbstractAs an exceptional Fenton‐like reagent, cerium oxide (CeO2) finds applications in biomedical science and organic pollutants treatment. The Fenton‐like reaction catalyzed by CeO2 typically encompasses two distinct processes: one resembling the classical Fenton reaction, wherein cerium (Ce3+) triggers the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to yield reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the other involves the complexation of H2O2 on the Ce3+ surface, leading to the formation of peroxides. However, the influence of diverse CeO2 morphologies on these two reaction pathways has not been comprehensively explored. In this study, CeO2 exhibiting three typical morphologies, rods, cubes, and spheres, were prepared. The generation of ROS and peroxides was evaluated using the 3,3,5,5‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidation reaction and the reduction current of H2O2, respectively. Moreover, the impacts of pH variations and CeO2/H2O2 concentrations on the production and conversion of these two reaction products were investigated. To corroborate the distinctions between the resultant products and their applicability, apoptosis assays and acid orange 7 (AO7) degradation analyses were performed. Notably, CeO2 rods exhibited the highest proportion of Ce3+, predominantly engaging in complexation with H2O2 to foster peroxide formation, thereby facilitating the robust degradation of AO7. However, the generated peroxides appeared to occupy Ce3+ sites, thereby impeding the H2O2 decomposition process. Conversely, Ce3+ species on the surface of CeO2 cubes were primarily involved in H2O2 decomposition, leading to heightened ROS production, and thus showcasing substantial potential for damaging A549 tumor cells. It is worth noting that the ability of these Ce3+ species to form peroxides through complexation with H2O2 was comparatively reduced. In summation, this study sheds light on the intricate interplay between distinct CeO2 morphologies and their divergent impacts on Fenton‐like reactions. These findings expand our comprehension of the influences on its reactivity of CeO2 morphologies and open new insights for applications in diverse domains, from organic dye degradation to tumor therapy.