Imide-functionalized Cu-MOF: Biomimetic peroxidase activity and detection of hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid

The synthesis of MOF with imide-functionalized aromatic conjugated carboxylic acid ligands has been a hot topic of field. A novel biomimetic peroxidase material (Cu-BDCPPI) was designed, synthesized and characterized by combining imide-functionalized aromatic conjugated carboxylic acid ligands N, N′-bis (3,5-dicarboxyphenyl) homophthalic diimide (H4BDCPPI) and catalytically active copper ions. The potential catalytic effect of Cu-H4BDCPPI on peroxidase-like activity was found firstly. It can catalyze the typical colorimetric substrate 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzyl (TMB) from colorless to blue ox-TMB in the presence of H2O2, and its enzymatic catalytic activity is similar to that of natural horseradish peroxidase (HRP). So, based on the catalytic performance of Cu-BDCPPI, a colorimetric method and test strips can be established for the detection of H2O2 and ascorbic acid (AA). This work provides a feasible strategy for synthesizing MOF materials with peroxidase like properties, expanding the application of MOF materials in the field of biological analysis.