Exploring single-atom nanozymes for environmental pollutants: Monitoring and control

Researchers from various institutions in China, led by Professor Yizhong Shen from Hefei University of Technology and Professor Jie Cheng from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, have published a comprehensive review in Nano-Micro Letters on the application of single-atom nanozymes (SANs) for monitoring and controlling environmental pollutants. This review highlights the latest advancements in the synthesis of SANs and their potential in addressing environmental challenges.

Why Single-Atom Nanozymes Matter

• High Catalytic Activity: SANs exhibit high catalytic activity due to their atomically dispersed active sites, which maximize the contact between substrates and active sites.
• Tunable Coordination Environment: The coordination environment of SANs can be precisely regulated, enhancing their catalytic performance and stability.
• Environmental Applications: SANs have shown promise in monitoring and controlling various environmental pollutants, including phenolic compounds, gaseous carcinogens, organic dyes, pesticide residues, medical drug residues, microbial hazards, and heavy metals.

Innovative Design and Mechanisms

• Synthesis Strategies: The review covers various synthesis methods for SANs, including atomic layer deposition (ALD), mass-selective soft landing (MSSL), high-energy ball milling, and photochemistry. These methods enable the creation of SANs with high atom utilization efficiency and tunable properties.
• Applications in Environmental Monitoring: SANs are used to develop sensitive and selective assays for detecting environmental pollutants. For example, Fe-based SANs have been used to detect phenolic compounds and gaseous carcinogens with high sensitivity and specificity.
• Pollutant Degradation: SANs can catalyze the degradation of pollutants through mechanisms such as Fenton-like reactions and photocatalysis. This review highlights several examples where SANs have been used to degrade organic dyes, pesticide residues, and medical drug residues efficiently.

Future Outlook

• Scalability and Practical Applications: The scalable synthesis methods discussed in the review highlight the potential for practical applications of SANs in environmental monitoring and remediation.
• Further Research: Future work may focus on optimizing the synthesis of SANs to improve their stability and catalytic performance. Additionally, integrating SANs with other advanced materials and technologies could enhance their functionality and applicability.
• Mechanistic Insights: This review provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the catalytic activity of SANs, offering a promising path for the development of advanced environmental monitoring and remediation technologies.

Stay tuned for more groundbreaking advancements from Professor Yizhong Shen and Professor Jie Cheng as they continue to explore the potential of single-atom nanozymes for environmental applications!