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Sensitive colorimetric glucose sensor by iron-based nanozymes with controllable Fe valence
Wenli Zhao1, Guangpu Zhang2, Yang Du3
1Herbert Gleiter Institute for Nanoscience, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, 200 Xiaolingwei, Nanjing, 210094, P. R. China. jiqingmin@njust.edu.cn.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|June 7, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to control iron valence states (Fe2+/Fe3+) in iron-doped silica hollow spheres (FeOx@SHSs) nanozymes. This optimization significantly enhances their peroxidase-like activity for sensitive glucose biosensing.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Catalysis
Background:
- The catalytic activity of iron-based nanozymes is critically dependent on the ratio of Fe2+ to Fe3+ ions.
- Precisely controlling this Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio in nanozyme systems to maximize catalytic performance remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel porous platform for precisely regulating Fe2+/Fe3+ ratios in iron-doped silica hollow spheres (FeOx@SHSs).
- To investigate the impact of varying Fe2+/Fe3+ ratios on the peroxidase-like activity of FeOx@SHSs nanozymes.
- To apply the optimized FeOx@SHSs nanozyme in a colorimetric biosensing system for sensitive analyte detection.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a novel porous platform using Fe-doped silica hollow spheres.
- Regulation of Fe2+/Fe3+ ratios within a wide range (0.81-1.45) via controlled reduction heating in H2/Ar atmosphere.
- Evaluation of peroxidase-like catalytic activity across different Fe2+/Fe3+ ratios.
- Development of a colorimetric biosensing system utilizing the optimized FeOx@SHSs nanozyme for glucose detection.
Main Results:
- Successfully achieved tunable Fe2+/Fe3+ ratios ranging from 0.81 to 1.45 using the FeOx@SHSs platform.
- Demonstrated that different Fe2+/Fe3+ ratios significantly influence the peroxidase-like activity, with the highest activity observed at a ratio of 1.41.
- Attributed the enhanced activity to the synergistic effects of Fe2+ accelerating reaction rates and Fe3+ improving catalytic cycle efficiency.
- Developed a highly sensitive colorimetric biosensing system for glucose determination based on the FeOx@SHSs nanozyme.
Conclusions:
- The Fe-doped silica hollow sphere platform provides an effective means to control iron valence states.
- Optimizing the Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio is crucial for enhancing the peroxidase-like activity of nanozymes.
- The developed FeOx@SHSs nanozyme shows great potential for applications in catalytic processes and sensitive biosensing systems.

