Iron-Based Nanozymes

Introduction

Iron-based nanozymes are enzymatically active nanomaterials containing a certain proportion of iron. Since the ferromagnetic (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles were firstly reported to exert enzyme-like activity in 2007, iron-based nanozymes have attracted widespread attention from researchers due to their good enzymatic activity, low cost, high stability and easy storage. Iron in iron-based nanozymes participates in many life activities as an important metal element of the human body. Therefore, iron-based nanozymes also exhibit other significant advantages, such as low toxicity, low immunogenicity, and high biodegradability used in vivo. Due to their excellent properties, iron-based nanozymes have broad prospects in future.

Biological Activity And Function

Iron-based nanozymes can simulate the activities of a variety of oxidoreductase, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidases (POD), and oxidase (OXD), and regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS). The SOD-like activity of iron-based nanozymes can catalyze the disproportionation of superoxide anions (O₂•) to produce hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and oxygen (O₂) and their CAT-like activity can decompose H₂O₂ to produce H₂O and O₂. The POD-like activity of iron-based nanozymes uses H₂O₂ as an electron acceptor to catalyze substrate oxidation, and their OXD-like activity can directly oxidize the substrate in the presence of oxygen^[1].

Fig.1 Biological activity and function of iron-based nanozymes.

Preparation

• Chemical Co-Precipitation Method. There are many methods that can be used to prepare the iron-based nanozymes. Among them, chemical co-precipitation method is the simplest method for large-scale preparation of iron-based nanozymes. The co-precipitation reaction is usually carried out at a pH between 8 and 14. In addition to pH, the co-precipitation reaction also depends on the reaction temperature, ion concentration, the ionic strength, the nature of the salt and the type of alkali. Therefore, the reaction path for co-precipitation to produce iron-based nanozymes is complicated, and different reaction conditions need to be strictly controlled according to the purpose.
• High-Temperature Decomposition Method. High-temperature decomposition method is the best method to synthesize highly crystalline, monodisperse magnetic iron-based nanozymes. This method is mainly performed by decomposing organic compounds containing iron precursors in high-boiling organic solvents. Typically, the method involves a variety of compounds, including the organometallic compound iron acetylacetonate, high-boiling solvents, and stabilizing surfactants such as oleic acid and oleylamine.
• Solvothermal Methods. The preparation of iron-based nanozymes by solvothermal method is usually carried out under high temperature or high pressure environment. Among them, the microwave-assisted solvothermal method exhibits high saturation magnetization and can prepare iron-based nanozymes with more crystal and morphological structures. And the process can be completed in a simple reaction system and significantly shortens the time than traditional solvothermal or hydrothermal methods.
• Other Methods. Iron-based nanozymes can also be prepared through bioengineering and biomineralization techniques. In addition, high-quality iron-based nanozymes can also be produced through chemical reduction of iron precursor compounds or the assistance of surfactants.

Alfa Chemistry can offer various iron-based nanozymes, including but not limited to prussian blue nanozymes, pyrite nanozymes, iron oxide nanozymes, metal ferrite nanozymes and iron single-atom nanozymes. You can click on our product list for a detailed view. At the same time, we also offer product customization according to customer's detailed requirements. If you are interested in our products or have any questions or needs, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to provide you with support and services.

Please kindly note that our products and services are for research use only.