A colloid approach to decorate latex particles with Prussian blue nanozymes

Abstract Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles of intrinsic peroxidase and superoxide dismutase-like activities were prepared by a co-precipitation method and immobilized on amidine functionalized polystyrene latex (AL) particles. The interaction between the AL and PB particles and the colloidal stability of the resulting AL-PB hybrid composites were assessed at different mass ratios via determination of the charging and aggregation characteristics in the samples. The negatively charged PB nanoparticles strongly adsorbed on the oppositely charged AL particles resulting in a range of AL-PB composites of positive, neutral and negative overall charge, once the PB dose was increased. The AL-PB composite of a saturated PB layer on the surface of the AL particles formed considerably stable dispersions. Further, the morphology, structural and functional features of the AL-PB composites were explored by electron microscopy and enzymatic assays. The results revealed that the immobilization of PB nanoparticles not only provided a sustained catalytic surface but did not compromise the enzyme-like activities. The obtained stable composite is a promising agent in antioxidant therapies and wherever the aim is to reduce oxidative stress at laboratory or larger scales.