Multioxide nanomaterials Zn, Cu, Mn: Combining nanozyme and photocatalyst functions for environmental applications

Abstract

The study analyses nanotechnology advances in the synthesis of catalytic nanozymes that mimic enzymatic properties, but are also inorganic nanomaterials. It compares Zn-Mn-Cu multioxide and Mn-Cu multioxide nanomaterials in the role of nanozymes and photocatalysts, in the decomposition of trypan blue dye. The study showed that Zn-Mn-Cu multioxide nanoxide has activity as a peroxidase-like nanozyme (100 mUnit/mL) and achieves 75% dye degradation as a photocatalyst under UV light. While Mn-Cu multioxide shows enhanced photocatalysis under visible light (45% degradation), consistent with its biocatalytic hydrolysis mechanism. In addition, both materials showed biocatalytic activity in the degradation of trypan blue dye (25%), without an additional light source. Further investigation of these dual nanozyme activities may reveal new solutions for their environmental use.