La-Doped CeO 2 Quantum Dots: Novel Dye Degrader, Antibacterial Activity, and In Silico Molecular Docking Analysis.

The current work demonstrates a novel synthesis of different concentrations of La-doped (2, 4, and 6 wt %) CeO 2 quantum dots (QDs) using a hydrothermal approach. This research aimed to examine the dye degradation efficiency, antibacterial activity, and in silico molecular docking analysis of La-doped CeO 2 QDs. The structure, elemental composition, optical properties, d -spacing, and morphological features of QDs were examined using various methods. XRD spectra exhibited the cubic structure of CeO 2 , and the crystallinity was suppressed upon La doping. TEM revealed the formation of cubic-shaped QDs of CeO 2 , and the incorporation of La decreased agglomeration. UV-vis absorption spectra showed a red shift upon La doping, assigned to a decrease in band gap energy. 6% La-doped CeO 2 showed significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli at higher concentrations in comparison to ciprofloxacin. La-CeO 2 was proposed as a putative inhibitor of β-lactamase E. coli and DNA gyrase E. coli relying on the outcomes of a molecular docking analysis that was in improved accord with in vitro bactericidal activity. Moreover, the prepared QDs exhibited a remarkable photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue in a basic medium.