Versatile laccase-mimicking enzyme for dye decolorization and tetracyclines identification upon a colorimetric array sensor

In this study, the laccase-mimicking enzyme MnO₂/Cu-BDC-His was synthesized by a facile procedure, and was applied in tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) identification and dye degradation. The MnO₂/Cu-BDC-His nanozymes effectively recognized phenolic hydroxyl groups in TCs and catalyzed the generation of colored oxidation products with different characteristic absorbance peaks at 350 nm, 525 nm and 600 nm. Different TCs mixtures produced different absorbance intensities at the above wavelengths and exhibited cross-color responses. Consequently, a colorimetric array sensor for the simultaneous identification and detection of TCs with wavelength as the sensing element was established. Unlike the traditional "lock-and-key" detection mode, the array sensor enabled simultaneous multi-analyte detection and identification, which achieved the identification and quantification of mixed TCs in the range of 5-200 µM, providing a premise for its application in lake and soil water. Additionally, the MnO₂/Cu-BDC-His nanozymes were also applied in colored dyes decolorization. Therefore, MnO₂/Cu-BDC-His nanozymes provided a promising application in environmental monitoring.