Beyond general catalysis: overcoming the specificity limitations of nanozyme for organic contaminants detection

A wide range of organic contaminants are enormously produced owing to the anthropogenic activities. Recently substantial research advancements have been made in materials science, nano science and analytical chemistry. Among the various advanced materials and nanomaterials, nanomaterials with the intrinsic enzymatic activity, nanozymes have attained a special place owing to their exceptional sensing attributes and they have demonstrated a paradigm shift in the sensing technology. For the detection of organic contaminants, specificity parameter determines the reliability and accuracy of a sensor in real-world complex samples. Nanozymes as practical analytical tools must overcome the issues associated with specificity limitations of nanozymes for organic contaminants detection. In this review we systematically examined the advances made in the fabrication strategies for overcoming the specificity limitations of nanozymes to efficiently detect the organic contaminants. Provided detailed analysis, synergistic strategies and prospective discussions on enhancing the nanozyme specificity. Innovative aspects of nanozymes in analytical chemistry were summarized. Discussed the role of nanozymes in the point-of-care testing of contaminants through various sensing strategies. Deliberated the ways for enhancing sensitivity and selectivity for the detection through the integration of artificial intelligence. Challenges and future perspectives were demonstrated for overcoming specificity limitations of nanozyme for organic contaminants detection. This review will aid in getting deeper insights into nanozyme-based sensing techniques, which will synergistically lead to the fabrication of novel nanozyme-based sensing systems with improved specificity in the future that can substantially detect contaminants.