Molecular Imprinting on Nanozymes for Sensing Applications

Abstract

As part of the biomimetic enzyme field, nanomaterial-based artificial enzymes, or nanozymes, have been recognized as highly stable and low-cost alternatives to their natural counterparts. The discovery of enzyme-like activities in nanomaterials triggered a broad range of designs with various composition, size, and shape. An overview of the properties of nanozymes is given, including some examples of enzyme mimics for multiple biosensing approaches. The limitations of nanozymes regarding lack of selectivity and low catalytic efficiency may be surpassed by their easy surface modification, and it is possible to tune specific properties. From this perspective, molecularly imprinted polymers have been successfully combined with nanozymes as biomimetic receptors conferring selectivity and improving catalytic performance. Compelling works on constructing imprinted polymer layers on nanozymes to achieve enhanced catalytic efficiency and selective recognition, requisites for broad implementation in biosensing devices, are reviewed. Multimodal biomimetic enzyme-like biosensing platforms can offer additional advantages concerning responsiveness to different microenvironments and external stimuli. Ultimately, progress in biomimetic imprinted nanozymes may open new horizons in a wide range of biosensing applications.

Artificial enzyme innovations in electrochemical devices: advancing wearable and portable sensing technologies

“…Artificial enzymes, also known as enzyme mimics or synthetic enzymes, are designed and synthesized catalysts that emulate the catalytic functions of natural enzymes. [42][43][44][45] These constructs aim to combine the specificity and efficiency of biological enzymes with the robustness and versatility of synthetic materials, providing adaptable catalytic solutions for various conditions and applications.…”

Recent development in the design of artificial enzymes through molecular imprinting technology

“…[12][13][14][15] Moreover, due to the inherent advantages of molecularly imprinting polymers (MIPs) such as low cost, high selectivity, excellent thermochemical stability, and no need for biologically based protocols, molecular imprinting has developed into a feasible method for mimicking natural enzymes. [16][17][18][19][20][21] In its conventional embodiment, the template molecule is a State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, China. E-mail: junqiuliu@jlu.edu.cn b College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Fig.…”

“…12–15 Moreover, due to the inherent advantages of molecularly imprinting polymers (MIPs) such as low cost, high selectivity, excellent thermochemical stability, and no need for biologically based protocols, molecular imprinting has developed into a feasible method for mimicking natural enzymes. 16–21 In its conventional embodiment, the template molecule is pre-assembled with the functional monomer containing functional groups by certain driving forces ( e.g. , covalent bonding, hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, ionic interactions, metal–ligand interactions, or hydrophobic effects) (Fig.…”

Rational design of allosteric switchable catalysts

“…Recently, versatile molecular scaffolds were utilized to afford exceptional examples aiming at natural enzymes' expertise: facilitating the formation of enzymesubstrate complex and reducing the activation energy barrier of catalytic reactions. Essential knowledge and critical factors (e.g., hydrogen bonds, electrostatic potential, van der Waals' forces, coordination bonds) that govern the enzyme activity have been explored by studying different models such as small organic molecules, [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] polymers, [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] supramolecular complexes, [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] natural proteins, [38][39][40][41][42][43][44] and protein assemblies. [45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52] These multidisciplinary works have spawned many successful bioinspired enzymes, some of which even showed high efficiencies comparable to their natural counterparts.…”