Green synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles using zucchini peel extract for cytotoxic and photocatalytic properties

The aim of this study is the green synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 -NPs) using a natural capping agent and its application in water and wastewater treatment. This study presents the biosynthesis of CeO 2 -NPs by the exertion of a green method using zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) extract as a capping agent. Synthesized CeO 2 -NPs were distinguished through TGA/DTA, FT–IR, XRD, FESEM/TEM and EDX/PSA, and DRS procedures. According to the XRD pattern of NPs, the crystallinity structure was a face-centered cubic (fcc) with an Fm3m space group and the size was estimated at 30 nm. The spherical morphology of NPs was confirmed through FESEM/TEM images. In the following, the photocatalytic property of NPs was investigated by the decolorization of methylene blue (MB) dye within UV-A light. Also, the cytotoxicity of NPs on the CT26 cell line was evaluated through the MTT test, and no toxicity was observed in the results, which indicates their biocompatibility. Graphical abstract