Green Synthesis of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles, Antibacterial Studies and as Catalyst for the Conversion of Cotton Seed Oil into Biodiesel

Abstract

Cerium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by employing solution combustion method using environmental friendly, polypeptide and acids rich, Butea monosperma seed powder as fuel. Phase purity, crystallite size were determined from X-ray diffraction (XRD). The trace amount of organic species attached to the surface of the nanoparticles was identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Morphological studies are performed on SEM and the particle shape-size distributions are studied using TEM. Electron diffraction on the nanoparticles revealed good crystallinity of the synthesized samples. Band gap increased with decreasing particle size as confirmed from the diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). White light luminescence capabilities of CeO2 nanoparticles were studied using photoluminescence spectroscopy. In vitro antibacterial activity studies to determine the zone of inhibition (ZOI) and catalytic property for the conversion of cotton seed oil into biodiesel were performed.