Two-Dimensional Fe-N-C Single-Atomic-Site Catalysts with Boosted Peroxidase-Like Activity for a Sensitive Immunoassay

Single-atomic-site catalysts (SASCs) with peroxidase (POD)-like activities have been widely used in various sensing platforms, like the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Herein, a two-dimensional Fe-N-C-based SASC (2D Fe-SASC) is successfully synthesized with excellent POD-like activity (specific activity = 90.11 U/mg) and is used to design the ELISA for herbicide detection. The 2D structure of Fe-SASC enables the exposure of numerous single atomic active sites on the surface as well as boosts the POD-like activity, thereby enhancing the sensing performance. 2D Fe-SASC is assembled into competitive ELISA kit, which achieves an excellent detection performance for 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Fe-SASC has great potential in replacing high-cost natural enzymes and working on various advanced sensing platforms with high sensitivity for the detection of various target biomarkers.

Automated summary

In this study, a two-dimensional Fe-N-C-based single-atomic-site catalyst (2D Fe-SASC) with excellent peroxidase-like activity was successfully synthesized and used to design ELISA for herbicide detection. The 2D structure of Fe-SASC exposes numerous single atomic active sites on the surface, enhancing the sensing performance. The assembled 2D Fe-SASC into a competitive ELISA kit achieved excellent detection performance for 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Fe-SASC shows great potential to replace expensive natural enzymes and work on various advanced sensing platforms for the detection of different target biomarkers.