New synthetic strategy toward a natural enzyme–nanozyme hybrid dual-function nanomotor and its application in environmental remediation

Abstract

Self-driven micro–nanomotors hold great promise for environmental monitoring and remediation. However, developing a nanomotor with dual functions of colorimetric detection and degradation is still a considerable challenge. In this paper, a novel nanomotor with both selective and catalytic activities was synthesized using a combination of natural enzymes and nanozymes. The nanomotor was modeled on natural mineral halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and had a unique layered structure. MnO₂ in the inner layer was the fuel catalytic unit, which achieved actuation by catalyzing hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to produce oxygen bubbles, and the diffusion coefficient of the nanomotor could reach 2.65 μm² s⁻¹ in 5% H₂O₂ solution. Lac/Fe-BTC@NiFe-LDH in the outer layer was the catalytic functional unit, where Lac/Fe-BTC@NiFe-LDH not only exhibited high peroxide-like active enzyme activity, but also provided abundant active sites for the loading of natural laccase. The integration of natural enzymes and nanozymes provided the material with stronger catalytic activity, which could detect the target pollutant minocycline (MC) in water more sensitively and degrade it efficiently, and provided a new idea for the removal of antibiotics from water.