DNA-templated silver nanoclusters as an efficient catalyst for reduction of nitrobenzene derivatives: a systematic study

Abstract

Nitrobenzene compounds are highly toxic pollutants with good stability, and they have a major negative impact on both human health and the ecological environment. Herein, it was found for the first time that fluorescent DNA-silver nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs) can catalyze the reduction of toxic and harmful nitro compounds into less toxic amino compounds with excellent tolerance to high temperature and organic solvents. In this study, the reduction of p-nitrophenol (4-NP) as a model was systematically investigated, followed by expending the substrate to disclose the versatility of this reaction. This report not only expanded the conditions for utilizing catalytic reduction conditions of DNA-AgNCs as an efficient catalyst in the control of hazardous chemicals but also widened the substrate range of DNA-AgNCs reduction, providing a new angle for the application of noble metal nanoclusters.

Confining Natural/Mimetic Enzyme Cascade in an Amorphous Metal–Organic Framework for the Construction of Recyclable Biomaterials with Catalytic Activity

“…Enzymes are widely applied in medicine, agriculture, and food processing; however, the catalytic activities of enzymes are usually lost after exposure to harsh conditions. − Currently, huge efforts have been devoted to the investigation of efficient artificial enzymes (nanozymes), which possess enzymelike activities and stability in harsh environments . For example, several nanoparticles have been found to exhibit enzyme-like activity, such as Au NPs and MnO 2 that possess oxidase-like activity, as well as Fe 3 O 4 and TiO 2 that possess mimetic horseradish peroxidase (HRP) activity.…”

“…17−20 Currently, huge efforts have been devoted to the investigation of efficient artificial enzymes (nanozymes), which possess enzymelike activities and stability in harsh environments. 21 For example, several nanoparticles have been found to exhibit enzyme-like activity, such as Au NPs 22 and MnO 2 23 that possess oxidase-like activity, as well as Fe 3 O 4 24 and TiO 2 25 that possess mimetic horseradish peroxidase (HRP) activity. Although great development has been achieved, the types of reaction that can be catalyzed by enzymes are still limited; thus, to realize practical applications, it is essential to make the nanozyme particles realize extended applications in the enzyme/nanozyme cascade.…”

Recent Advances in the Preparation and Application of DNA-Encoded Metal Nanoclusters

“…These results indicate that nucleosides or DNA provide more possibilities for regulating the enzymatic activity of MNPs. Reaction conditions were sys-tematically optimized to further expand the application of DNA-Ag NCs as nanocatalysts with 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction as a model reaction and revealed their potential for boosting degradation of a series of nitrobenzene derivatives in industry [122]. It was found that DNA-Ag NCs maintained their catalytic activity even at the high temperature of close to 100 °C, which drastically expanded their application scope.…”

QSAR Studies on Nitrobenzene Derivatives using Hyperpolarizability and Conductor like Screening model as Molecular Descriptors

“…Nitrobenzene derivative has also been linked to carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, skin sensitization, and hepatotoxicity (9). Therefore, the useful understanding of this material on the mechanism and action of toxicity is still going strong (10)(11)(12).…”