Bimetallic FeMn-N nanoparticles as nanocatalyst with dual enzyme-mimic activities for simultaneous colorimetric detection and degradation of hydroquinone

The transition element based N-doped carbon nanoparticles (NPs) with high catalytic activity and more active centers are regards as nanozymes with great potential for colorimetric detection and environmental degradation. Here, three-dimensional (3D) hierarchically porous of manganese-amplified Fe-N-doped carbon (Fe/Mn-N-C) catalysts with more Fe/Mn-N4 and C-N active groups was synthesized via pyrolysis of manganese(II) acetyllacetonate/[email protected] nanocomposites. Owing to its excellent peroxidase-like (POD-like) and superoxide (SOD) mimicking properties, the Fe/Mn-N-C nanozymes were selected to rapid and accurate colorimetric detection of hydroquinone (HQ), and the detection limit was determined as 0.21 μM in range of 0–100 μM. In addition, the rapid degradation of HQ via hydroxyl radical (•OH) and superoxide anion (O2•-) generated between Fe/Mn-N-C nanozymes and H2O2, and the degradation efficiency reached to over 92% under the optimum reaction conditions (pH 4.0, 100 mM H2O2). The reaction mechanisms were systematically explored. The manganese-amplified Fe-N-C single atom nanozyme with excellent enzyme-like activity and chemical stability will propose a feasible way for accurate detection and removal of pollutants in actual production.