Enhancing Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Properties of CeO2 Through Silver Decoration: A Study on Ag@CeO2 Nanocomposites

In this study, silver-decorated cerium oxide (Ag@CeO2) nanoparticles were synthesized through a simple mixing and pyrolysis process to enhance their antioxidant and antitumor properties. The synthesis methods for Ag@CeO2were optimized, resulting in nanoparticles with varying antioxidant activities. Notably, the embedding of Ag nanoparticles within CeO2during pyrolysis significantly improved the antioxidant activity and stability of the nanoparticles, leading to enhanced antitumor effects. The Ag@CeO2nanoparticles exhibited strong cytotoxicity against tumor cells (MCF-7) while maintaining low toxicity toward normal cells (HUVECs). These properties, combined with their ability to modulate mitochondrial membrane potential, position Ag@CeO2as a promising candidate for electrochemical therapy (ECT). This study highlights the antioxidant potential and the potential of Ag@CeO2nanoparticles in tumor treatment and provides new insights into the application of nanomaterials in ECT.