In testing
with hydrogen peroxide, a strong
oxidizing agent, the researchers found their most effective cerium oxide III nanoparticles performed nine times better than a common antioxidant, Trolox, at first exposure, and held up well through 20 redox cycles.
«Typically, the synthesis of oxide nanoparticles involves the slow reaction of a weak
oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide,
with dilute solutions of metal salts or complexes in both aqueous and non-aqueous solvent systems,» said Dr. Thomas Sutto, NRL research chemist.