Newly Constructed NiCo2O4 Derived from ZIF-67 with Dual Mimic Enzyme Properties for Colorimetric Detection of Biomolecules and Metal Ions

Integration of novel bio-/nanostructures as effective sensing platforms is still of great significance for robust and rapid analysis. Herein, a novel metal–organic framework-derived NiCo2O4 was synthesized via a feasible templating method. Significantly, redox couples of both Ni3+/Ni2+ and Co3+/Co2+ provided richer oxidation–reduction reactions, thereby leading to an enhanced catalytic activity. Furthermore, NiCo2O4 as an enzyme mimic with peroxidase-like activity and oxidase-like activity could oxidize colorless thylbenzidine (TMB) to blue oxTMB in the absence of H2O2. Thus, a sensitive chromogenic sensing platform for detecting Fe2+, thiourea, cysteine (Cys), and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) was proposed. The colorimetric detection methods exhibited great features of low limit of detection (LOD) and broad linear range. Owing to the complexation reaction, the chromogenic sensing system of TMB + NiCo2O4 + Cys achieved effective detection of Cu2+ and Mn2+ with the LODs of 0.0022 and 0.0181 mM, respectively. Developed detection methods with wide linear ranges of 0.008–0.1 mM for Cu2+ and 0.08–1 mM for Mn2+ had excellent practical potential. Similarly, the reaction system of TMB + NiCo2O4 + EGCG could achieve the colorimetric detection of Cu2+ and Fe3+. The great chromogenic sensing performance for detecting Cu2+ and Fe3+ with a broad linear range and a low LOD could be also realized.