Ferrocene derivatives constructed Prussian blue analogs for colorimetric detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose.

Abstract

This study reports the rational design of ferrocene-derived Prussian blue analogs (PBAs) as a new class of nanozymes with enhanced catalytic properties. Capitalizing on its high peroxidase-like activity, we developed a colorimetric assay for detecting hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and glucose, which exhibited high stability, sensitivity, and accuracy in biological samples such as serum. Furthermore, by leveraging the reversible structural dynamics of Fc(COOH)₂-PBA, we engineered a dual-mode colorimetric assay for visual quantitation of H₂O₂ and glucose in complex samples, including cells, tissues, and cerebrospinal fluid. The distinct colorimetric response of this system demonstrates promising potential for point-of-care testing applications. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into the structure-activity relationships of nanozymes and will facilitate the development of application-targeted nanozymes for disease diagnostics.