Modulating the catalytic activities of nanozymes for molecular sensing

Nanomaterials as artificial enzymes (nanozymes) have aroused extensive research interest owing to their highly stable, long storage period, and low-cost alternatives to enzymes. Recent significant advances in nanozymes open up new opportunities for the development of nanozymes in a wide range of applications due to their ultra-small size, good stability, and high biocompatibility. Many efforts have been devoted to the exploration of enzyme mimetic activities and their diverse applications by modulating the catalytic activities of nanozyme. In this review, practical introduction to the identification effect of the bio-templates (e.g., biopolymers and hybrid biomolecules) on the biocatalytic performances of nanozymes is summarized. Then, the focus is on exciting advances of three efficient modulators in the nanozymes to improve the performance of catalytic activities in molecular sensing systems, including photo-modulation, plasmonic excitations, and charge-transfer interactions. Furthermore, we briefly describe the state-of-the-art advances in nanozyme-based molecular sensing of certain nanozymes as probes for the detection of cancer biomarkers, antioxidants, neurotransmitters, antibiotics, and toxin molecules. Eventually, it is anticipated to shed light on the further development of nanozymes for molecular detection by highlighting the current challenges and prospects for modulating the catalytic activities of diverse nanomaterials.