Applications of Nanozymes in Renewable Energy Production and Pollutant Sensing

Abstract

Nanozymes are just Nanomaterials with enzyme-like properties and are considered as next generation artificial enzymes. They possess various activities like peroxidase-like activities, oxidase-like activities, catalase-like activities, superoxide dismutase-like activities, hydrolase-like activities, and multi-enzyme-mimicking activities. Development of Nanozymes and their various important uses and applications is a hot and evolving topic in recent years. Emerging applications of nanozymes in environmental analysis have been reviewed. Emphasis has been put on the nanozyme-based strategies for renewable energy production and typical pollutant sensing. Modern trends for nanozymes in future environmental monitoring have been discussed. As a combination able to show both the catalytic characteristics of enzymes and the features of nanoscale materials, nanozymes have been found to be evolving rapidly. As compared with natural enzymes, nanozymes have better stability, and can be mass produced conveniently and also at a lower cost. In addition and more importantly, their properties can be easily designed and tailored for various demands. Due to these advantages and merits, they have found extensive applications in sensing, biomedicine, and environmental treatment. This paper presents a comprehensive summary on the emerging use of nanozymes in environmental analysis, with emphasis and focus on the nanozyme based principles and strategies explored for the sensing of toxic ions, pesticides, phenolic pollutants, antibiotic residues, and pathogens. Their potential and trends in future environmental monitoring have also been discussed. This paper should be useful to the Researchers and Designing engineers engaged in this rapidly evolving f ield to choose the subtopic of their research and also for developing the devices using nanozymes.