Nanoarchitectonics of (110) directed polyethylene glycol stabilized cerium nanoparticles for UV filtering applications

Abstract The use of zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles in ultraviolet (UV) filters can cause serious health issues due to their genotoxicity cytotoxicity effect. Recent research on cerium (CeO has demonstrated biocompatible nature, excellent antioxidant ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) absorption properties. CeO -based nanocomposite materials or nano-architectures offer uniform absorptive properties, therapeutic skin effect easy application. In this study, oxide-polyethylene glycol -PEG) nano-architecture was prepared by hydrothermal processing with the aim improve stability, enhance UV for filtering applications. morphology study developed revealed formation polymer bands well-dispersed nanoparticles. structure exhibited range 200–400 nm decrease optical band gap comparison naked NPs. evaluation photocatalytic activity (PCA) against P25 photocatalyst ZnO showed no dye (crystal violet) degradation irradiation. Hence, PCA assay verified absence ROS generation increased stability nanostructure under investigation properties Ce-PEG a dichlorofluorescein (DCF)-based sufficient intracellular scavenging N-acetylcysteine (NAC) H O only assays. vitro toxicity towards non-malignant human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) non-significant mortality ~ 10% control at dosage 50 mg L −1 . also protection HaCaT cells irradiation conditions compared P25. Our findings suggest that combined emollient role (PEG), hence offered novel multifunctional sunscreens product. Graphical abstract