Versatile Synthesis of Rare-Earth Nanoparticles with Virus-like Surface Nanotopography

Surface nanotopography plays a pivotal role in determining the physicochemical properties and nanobio interactions of nanomaterials. However, achieving precise control over such nanoscale surface architectures remains challenging, particularly for multifunctional rare-earth-based nanoparticles with diverse compositional and structural complexity. Here, we report a π-π conjugation-driven micelle inversion strategy for the versatile synthesis of rare-earth oxide nanoparticles featuring virus-like surface nanotopography and highly tunable compositions, including single-component, multicomponent, and transition metal-doped variants. The resulting nanoparticles possess controllable surface roughness and spike-like protrusions, enabling systematic exploration of the relationship between nanotopography and properties such as biointerfacing, catalytic activity, and therapeutic efficacy. As a proof-of-concept, virus-like mesoporous ceria nanoparticles (v-mCeO₂) leverage their virus-like surface architecture to achieve enhanced cellular uptake, tissue penetration, and catalytic performance. These structural advantages, coupled with their intrinsic antioxidant activity, translate into significantly improved therapeutic outcomes in atopic dermatitis. This work establishes a general platform for constructing rare-earth nanomaterials with tailored surface morphologies, thereby optimizing their multifunctional performance.