Bimetallic and multimetallic nanozymes: synergistic catalysis for advanced biomedical and health applications

Abstract

Nanozymes are a class of nanomaterials with enzyme-mimetic catalytic activities. Owing to their high stability, tunable catalytic performance, and ease of preparation, they have emerged as important alternatives to natural enzymes. However, single-metal nanozymes often face challenges such as insufficient active sites, low catalytic efficiency, and limited functionality. The introduction of a second or multiple metals into nanozymes significantly boosts their catalytic efficiency and multifunctionality through intermetallic electronic coupling and synergy. This review systematically summarizes the latest research progress on nanozymes composed of Fe, Mn, Cu, Pt, Au, Pd, Ga, Mo, Ni, and multi-metallic systems. It focuses on their applications in therapeutic interventions and health monitoring strategies, which encompass not only highly sensitive biosensing for disease biomarkers but also the detection and degradation of environmental pollutants that pose significant risks to human health. Finally, we outline key challenges and future prospects in critical areas ranging from atomically-precise synthesis and mechanistic studies to the development of smart systems and clinical translation.