Surface acidity modulates the peroxidase-like activity of nanoclay

A novel surface acidity modulation strategy allows us to obtain modified nanoclay with specific peroxidase (POD)-like catalytic activity. Fe³⁺ exchange could increase the surface acidity of modified montmorillonite (MMT), resulting in a significant enhancement of its POD-like activity. We proposed that the POD-like catalytic reaction followed the electron transfer pathway and ping-pong mechanism. Correspondingly the constructed colorimetric sensor for H₂O₂ exhibited high sensitivity and specificity.