Carbon-based nanozymes: Design, catalytic mechanism, and bioapplication

Carbon-based nanomaterials with enzyme-like activity are new candidates in materials science. So far, various carbon-based nanozymes have been developed, such as fullerenes, graphene quantum dots and metal organic framework-derived carbon materials. Unlike natural enzymes, carbon-based nanozymes have abundant active sites, excellent stability, and good biological safety, showing great potential in biomedical applications. In particular, the unique optical, thermal and acoustic properties of carbon-based nanozymes have also been revealed, providing a multifunctional platform for its biomedical applications. This review discusses the recent research progress of carbon-based nanozymes and proposes their current challenges and perspectives.