Modifying the Surface of Cerium Oxide Nanopowders Produced by Physical Method.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles present an interesting material for different industrial applications in biotechnology and medicine. The CeO₂ nanopowder was produced by the method of pulsed electron evaporation of ceramic oxide targets with condensation of the vapors in a low pressure gas. The modification of nanoparticle surface was made with sodium citrate and N-phosphonomethylaminodiacetic acid. The stable aqueous suspensions of CeO₂ nanoparticles could not be obtained in the work. This is probably due to the high hydrophobic properties of the nanoparticle surface. The cerium oxide nanoparticles with different stabilizers exhibit luminescence properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]