Microbial induced synthesis of CeCO3OH and CeO2 hollow rods micro/nanostructure

• We produced biotemplated nanoparticles with bacterial morphologies.
• Urea hydrolysis of metabolic processes was used.
• We investigate various properties.
• Hollow micro/nanostructures was inspired by nature way.

The preparation of rare earth metal oxide (CeO2) using bacteria with urea hydrolysis is reported. A urease-generated bacterium, Bacillus pasteurii (BP), was used to induce the precipitation of CeCO3OH crystals in aqueous solutions containing urea and Ce3+ ions. The CeCO3OH crystals were subsequently converted to CeO2 by its thermal decomposition. Hollow rod shaped (CeCO3OH and CeO2) micro/nanostructure was prepared by simple method under ambient conditions. The 13C cross polarization magic-angle spinning NMR spectra revealed the possible explanation of the interaction of organic–inorganic moieties and precipitation of ceria on cell wall of bacteria. This is a promising route of bacteria-templated metal oxide crystals to produce hollow micro/nanostructures with potential in various technical applications. The synthesis of bacteria-guided metal oxides is cheap, non-toxic and eco-friendly.