Pluronic F127-functionalized cerium fluoride nanocomposite: synthesis, characterization, and its enhanced antibacterial activities.

The persistence of pathogenic bacteria, rising antibiotic resistance, and the ongoing need for effective anticancer agents necessitate the development of advanced multifunctional therapeutic strategies. In this study, CeF₃ nanoparticles and PF127-functionalized CeF₃ (CeF₃-PF127) nanocomposites were synthesized via a facile wet chemical route and systematically characterized for their structural, optical, and biological properties. XRD confirmed the formation of phase-pure hexagonal CeF₃ with crystallite sizes of 31 nm (CeF₃) and 27 nm (CeF₃-PF127), while SAED revealed lattice fringes of approximately 0.27 nm (CeF₃) and 0.29 nm (CeF₃-PF127). EDAX and XPS validated the Ce/F stoichiometry and the successful surface functionalization with PF127. Optical analyses showed a slight reduction in band gap from 3.15 to 3.09 eV upon polymer coating, and PL spectra indicated enhanced defect-related emission in CeF₃-PF127, suggesting stabilization of Ce3⁺ ions and oxygen vacancy sites. Biological evaluations demonstrated that CeF₃-PF127 exhibited superior antioxidant activity (DPPH assay) and enhanced anticancer efficacy against MG-63 osteosarcoma cells, with lower IC₅₀ values over 24-72 h. Antibacterial studies against S. aureus, B. subtilis, K. pneumoniae, and S. dysenteriae revealed larger inhibition zones (18-20.5 mm) and improved MIC/MBC values (600/1000 µg·mL-1) compared to bare CeF₃. Biocompatibility assessment using L929 fibroblasts confirmed cell viability exceeding 80% for both samples. Collectively, these results demonstrate that CeF₃-PF127 is a stable, multifunctional nanocomposite with promising potential for biomedical applications.