Synthesis of Nanoceria (Nano-CeO2) as an artificial enzyme for peroxidative reactions

Peroxidase is a natural biocatalyst which has wide application in biotechnology, environmental chemistry and industry. Nowadays, due to the difficulties inherent of enzymes, model compounds such as nanoparticles, nano metal particles and nano metal oxide particles have been introduced. In this research, CeO2 nano-particles was synthesized via a hydrothermal approach and was characterized by various techniques such as FT-IR, XRD and SEM. Biocatalytic activity of nanoceria samples were examined through the oxidation reaction with a 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) as a chromogenic substrate by hydrogen peroxide. Oxidation reactions were followed spectrophotometrically in acetate buffer 50.0 mM (pH=3.0), room temperature at 414 nm (λmax of the oxidized ABTS). Biocatalytic parameters including Vmax, Km, kcat and catalytic efficiency were determined.