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Updated: Feb 7, 2026

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pH-Switchable Multienzymatic Activities of an Fe Single-Atom Nanozyme Enable Dual-Cascade Catalysis for Robust
Huifang Zhang1,2, Yuhang Zhang2, Xiang Xu2
1College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Environment and Energy Catalysis, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China.
Analytical Chemistry
|February 6, 2026
Summary
This study introduces pH-switchable single-atom nanozymes for advanced biosensing. These nanozymes offer dual-cascade catalysis, enhancing sensitivity and accuracy for pesticide detection.
Area of Science:
- Biomimetic Chemistry
- Nanomaterials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Nanozymes with multiple enzyme-like activities offer synergistic benefits for biosensing.
- Controlling nanozyme functionality without cross-reactivity for multi-mode sensing is a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a pH-switchable single-atom nanozyme platform for advanced biosensing.
- To precisely manipulate multienzymatic activities for dual-mode sensing applications.
Main Methods:
- Cytochrome c (Cyt c)-templated pyrolysis to create Fe single-atom nanozymes (FeSAN) with Fe-N5 moieties.
- Investigated pH-dependent oxidase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase-like activities.
- Utilized colorimetric and electrochemiluminescence detection systems with inverse signal correction.
Main Results:
- FeSAN exhibited pH-switchable dual-cascade catalytic activities, enabling acid-dependent oxidation and alkaline-dependent antioxidation.
- The platform achieved amplified colorimetric response in acidic media and suppressed electrochemiluminescence in alkaline media.
- Demonstrated a 10-fold increase in sensitivity and improved accuracy for organophosphorus pesticide detection.
Conclusions:
- Established a novel paradigm for advanced biosensing using pH-switchable single-atom nanozymes.
- Successfully constructed a dual-cascade catalysis platform for dual-mode sensing.
- Highlighted the potential of precisely manipulating nanozyme functionalities for complex analytical challenges.
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