Nanomaterials-based next generation synthetic enzymes

Over the past few decades, nanomaterials exhibiting the properties of natural enzymes (nanozymes) have attracted a great research attention because they offer to overcome the limitations of natural enzymes. Nanozymes that display multiple activities have received increasing attention because they can be applied in numerous applications such as biosensing, tumor diagnosis, therapy, immunoassays, antibiofouling, and bioimaging. A vital advantage that nanozymes possess over natural enzymes is that they have a higher surface area to volume ratio, which offers nanomaterials to exhibit better catalytic activity. Moreover, nanozymes are stable colloidal suspension, low cost, and robust to harsh environment and require normal storage conditions, which makes them a better alternatives to natural enzymes. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of nanozymes can be modulated simply by altering their shape, size, and compositions as per the need of applications. In this chapter, we have discussed the different enzyme-like properties exhibited by a variety of nanomaterials. Major emphasis has been given to the nanomaterials reported to show peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and oxidase enzyme-like activities. Additionally, nanomaterials exhibiting biological multienzyme complex-like activity have also been discussed, and a section on the strategies reported to boost the enzyme-like activity of nanomaterials is also included toward the end.