Cerium oxide nanoparticles: Advances in synthesis, prospects and application in agro-ecosystem

Abstract In recent years, Nano structures have attained high interest especially the “Nanoceria”—a widely used term to explain the cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) due to multifunctional applications mainly in the field of biomedical sciences, agriculture, industry and cosmetics. Rapid developments in synthesis and use of engineered nanoceria has awoken the societies and scientific concerns about their environmental impacts and implications on biological systems especially in the agro-ecosystem. Natural weathering processes as well as anthropogenic process causes the CeO2 NPs to enter the biosphere where they finally sink in soil. The fate of NPs depends upon indigenous physiochemical properties of soils and biological status of these soils. The controversies remained prevailing since the generation and application of nanoparticles. The application of CeO2 NPs has both positive as well as negative impacts on plants and humans. The CeO2 NPs can be effective in mitigating abiotic stress like heavy metals, depending upon the soil and plant species but still some critical questions must be addressed. Industrial applications of CeO2 NPs have raised its production up to 100/1000 tons per year only in Europe. The interactions between nano ceria and biological components is inevitable, but the consequences and mechanism are still unclear. This chapter will critically address the applications of CeO2 NPs in the environment specifically in agriculture sector. This will help to understand CeO2 NPs synthesis, its modern-day application and impacts on plants and human life. The knowledge would be guideline to address different issues, question as future perspective and will generate guidelines to make ceria nanoparticles use highly specific and conditional in the environment.