Atomic Ce-Induced Adaptive Synergism for Self-Optimized Multi-Enzymatic Nanozyme Design for Soil Amendment

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biocatalysis

Background:

• Single-atom nanozymes (SAzymes) show great potential as enzyme mimics but are often limited to monofunctional activity.
• Adapting SAzymes for complex biological systems requires enhanced catalytic versatility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel nanozyme with adaptive multi-enzymatic activities and controlled reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
• To investigate the mechanism of Ce-induced adaptive synergism in nanozymes.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the developed nanozyme in agriculture.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of Ce-modified nanozyme (Ce-MOF) with Ni-Fe dual sites.
• In-situ spectroscopic studies and theoretical calculations to elucidate the catalytic mechanism.
• In vitro antifungal assays against Fusarium solani.
• Soil experiments assessing phytopathogen inhibition, microbial community recovery, and plant growth.

Main Results:

• Ce-MOF demonstrated adaptive synergism, boosting multi-enzymatic activities through Ce-induced spin-state polarization of Ni and Fe centers.
• The nanozyme selectively produced ROS, enabling potent in vitro antifungal activity without external oxidants.
• Soil application inhibited phytopathogens, restored beneficial microbes, and promoted Panax ginseng growth.

Conclusions:

• Ce-MOF offers a promising platform for sustainable agriculture through tailored ROS production and microbiome regulation.
• The adaptive dual-metal synergy mechanism provides a new strategy for designing advanced nanozymes.
• This approach facilitates eco-friendly crop protection and enhances plant cultivation.