Metal Organic Framework-Derived Multivariate Flower-Like Cu-Co3O4/CoOOH Nanozymes for Designing Colorimetric
Jiayin Li1, Qingwen Chen1, Haibing Zhu1
1School of Chemistry and Materials, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225002, P.R. China.
Analytical Chemistry
|March 30, 2026
Summary
A novel nanozyme biosensor offers a cost-effective way to detect metallothioneins (MTs), crucial biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis. This metal-organic framework-derived material provides sensitive and rapid MT monitoring in serum samples.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Metallothioneins (MTs) are vital biomarkers for early cancer detection.
- Current methods for MT detection are often costly and inconvenient.
- Developing rapid and accessible MT monitoring tools is a significant unmet need.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a cost-effective and sensitive colorimetric biosensor for metallothioneins (MTs).
- To utilize a novel metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived nanozyme for enhanced biosensing capabilities.
- To establish a practical method for rapid MT monitoring in clinical settings.
Main Methods:
- A multivariate flower-like Cu-Co3O4/CoOOH nanozyme was synthesized using a silica shell-mediated hierarchical MOF-derived strategy.
- The nanozyme's peroxidase-like activity was leveraged to catalyze the oxidation of TMB.
- Metallothioneins were detected by their ability to scavenge hydroxyl radicals generated by the nanozyme.
Main Results:
- The synthesized Cu-Co3O4/CoOOH nanozyme demonstrated significantly enhanced peroxidase-like activity.
- A colorimetric biosensor for MTs was successfully constructed with a wide linear range (0.035–1.5 × 10^3 μM) and a low detection limit (2.2 × 10^-3 μM).
- The biosensor exhibited excellent specificity, stability, and practicability for analyzing serum samples.
Conclusions:
- The MOF-derived nanozyme offers a promising platform for sensitive and cost-effective MT detection.
- This hierarchical derivatization strategy provides a universal approach for designing diverse nanozymes for biosensing.
- The developed biosensor holds potential for early clinical diagnosis of malignancies through MT monitoring.
Related Concept Videos
00:39Complexometric Titration: Overview
13.0K
Complexometric titration involves the formation of a complex by reacting a metal ion with one or more ligands. A visual indicator often detects the end point of a complexometric titration. It is added to the metal solution before the titration, forming a stable metal–indicator complex and imparting color to the solution. As the titration approaches the equivalence point, the excess of the added ligand displaces the indicator from the metal–indicator complex, releasing the free...
13.0K
03:02Colors and Magnetism
14.6K
Color in Coordination Complexes
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
14.6K
02:51Metal-Ligand Bonds
25.6K
The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
25.6K
00:56Extraction: Advanced Methods
1.3K
Metal ions can be separated from one another by complexation with organic ligands–the chelating agent– to form uncharged chelates. Here, the chelating agent must contain hydrophobic groups and behave as a weak acid, losing a proton to bind with the metal. Since most organic ligands used in this process are insoluble or undergo oxidation in the aqueous phase, the chelating agent is initially added to the organic phase and extracted into the aqueous phase. The metal-ligand complex is...
1.3K