Heterojunction‐Mediated Co‐Adjustment of Band Structure and Valence State for Achieving Selective Regulation of Semiconductor Nanozymes

Abstract

Improving reaction selectivity is the next target for nanozymes to mimic natural enzymes. Currently, the majority of strategies in this field are exclusively applicable to metal‐organic‐based or organic‐based nanozymes, while limited in regulating metal oxide‐based semiconductor nanozymes. Herein, taking semiconductor Co3O4 as an example, we propose a heterojunction strategy to precisely regulate nanozyme selectivity by simultaneously regulating three vital factors including band structure, metal valence state, and oxygen vacancy content. After introducing MnO2 to form Z‐scheme heterojunctions with Co3O4 nanoparticles, the catalase (CAT)‐like and peroxidase (POD)‐like activities of Co3O4 can be precisely regulated since the introduction of MnO2 affected the position of the conduction bands (CB), preserved Co in a higher oxidation state (Co3+) and increased oxygen vacancy content, enabling Co3O4‐MnO2 exhibit improved CAT‐like activity and reduced POD‐like activity. This study proposed a strategy for improving reaction selectivity of Co3O4, which contributes to the development of metal oxide‐based semiconductor nanozymes.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved