Facile synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of neurotoxicity effect of cerium oxide nanoparticles

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) were synthesized via the sol–gel method in gelatin media. Long-chain gelatin compounds were utilized to terminate the growth of CeO2-NPs and stabilize them. The CeO2-NPs were characterized by a number of techniques, including X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), UV–vis spectrophotometry, and high-magnification transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The CeO2-NPs calcined at different temperatures exhibited a cubic fluoride structure with sizes less than approximately 10 nm. The influence of the calcination temperature on the morphology of CeO2-NPs was also investigated. In vitro cytotoxicity studies on neuro2A cells showed a dose-dependent toxicity with non-toxic effect of concentration below 10 μg/mL. The results indicated that gelatin is an interesting material that can be used as a stabilizer in the sol–gel processes for preparing small CeO2-NPs.