Synthesis and characterization of Ce-doped TiO 2 nanoparticles and their enhanced anticancer activity in Y79 retinoblastoma cancer cells

Rare earth metal cerium-doped titania nanoparticles (titanium dioxide [TiO2]) were produced utilizing a low-cost and straightforward sol–gel technique, and its enhanced photodynamic anticancer activity was tested on Y79 retinoblastoma cancer cells. The structural, optical, morphological, anticancer activity, and cytotoxicity of pure and cerium-doped TiO2 (Ce-doped TiO2) were investigated. In X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, apparent doping of cerium in TiO2 was detected, with reported anatase patterns shifting toward a lower angle in the anatase structure. Raman spectra verify the presence of cerium doping in TiO2 by revealing greater wave number shifting. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis showed that the synthesized TiO2 and Ce-doped TiO2 nearly spherical. TiO2 and Ce-doped TiO2 were studied for their photodynamic anticancer activities, and the results suggest that cerium doping in TiO2 improves anticancer activity.