Synthesis of CeVO4 nanoparticles using sol-gel auto combustion method and their antifungal activity

Cerium orthovanadate nanoparticles (CeVO4 NPs) were fabricated using urea-assisted facile sol-gel auto combustion method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern revealed the crystal planes and size of synthesized CeVO4 NPs. The morphological shape and the crystalline nature of the NPs were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) affirmed the presence of elemental composition and purity of the fabriacated NPs. Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the conceivable stretching frequency on the surface of CeVO4 NPs. UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) absorption spectrum indicates the band gap is about 3.2 eV and the synthesized tetragonal CeVO4 NPs exhibited a broad photoluminescence in the UV–visible region. Besides, these CeVO4 NPs evinced antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus clavatus, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentographytes, Epidermophyton floccosum and Microsporum gypseum. The studies describing the synthesis of CeVO4 NPs by simple sol-gel auto combustion method followed by the investigation of antifungal activities may be useful for research opening a new horizon in the field of nanotechnology.