Nanozyme as Artificial Receptor with Multiple Readouts for Pattern Recognition

Nanozymes have been widely used for the construction of colorimetric sensors. However, the simultaneous discrimination of multiple targets using nanozymes is still a challenge. In this work, we construct a multiple-readout system for pattern recognition of proteins using nanozyme. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets, which possess peroxidase-like activity, are chosen as the single sensing receptor. The catalytic activity of g-C3N4 can be changed to different degrees owing to the different interactions between g-C3N4 and proteins. By choosing different combinations of absorbance intensities at various time points, multichannel information can be extracted from a single material for pattern recognition. The platform avoids the synthesis of multiplex sensing receptors and the requirement of sophisticated instruments, leading to lower cost and time consumption. The study provides a new method for the construction of feasible, convenient, and flexibly nanozyme-based sensing arrays.