Biomimetic nitrogen doped titania nanoparticles as a colorimetric platform for hydrogen peroxide detection

Nanoparticles proved a viable alternative to the already used sensing and diagnostics methods due to their low cost, good stability, easy availability and easy synthesis. In the present approach, nitrogen doped titania nanoparticles are prepared through freeze drying method, and subsequently stabilized through ionic liquid. These nanoparticles were characterized through various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BET pore size and surface area analyzer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis. DRS). The synthesized nitrogen doped titania nanoparticles were proved to be a novel peroxidase mimetic with great potential to catalyze oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to form a blue color product. As a proof of concept, this new enzyme mimic was used as a robust nanoprobe for the detection of hydrogen peroxide with improved analytical characteristics. A linear response for hydrogen peroxide detection was obtained in the range of 10-300μmol/L, with a detection limit of 2.5μmol/L. Taking into account the valuable intrinsic peroxidase activity, the present work may find widespread applications in the field of sensors and biosensors for diverse applications.