Europium-Doped Ceria Nanocrystals as Nanozyme Fluorescent Probes for Biosensing

Molecular nanoprobes with intrinsic enzyme-like activity represent a new wave of technology for rapid and sensitive detection molecular targets. This work reports synthesis characterization novel well-dispersed europium-doped ceria nanocrystals (EuCe NCs) self-integrated catalytic fluorescence sensing functions. The NCs have an average size ∼5 nm exhibit bright stable more than 6 months in aqueous media. Their dual cooperative function as both catalyst fluorescent probe was explored to develop universally applicable fluorescence-based biosensing method monitor enzyme reactions quantitatively measure clinically relevant molecules. Sensing capabilities are demonstrated H2O2, glucose/glucose oxidase, lactate/lactate phosphatase activity, the catecholamine neurotransmitter, dopamine. Results indicate that EuCe not only provide high enzyme-mimetic but also impart direct ability enabling all-in-one recognition, amplification, biomolecular nanozyme offers alternative complex systems based on combined use natural enzymes dyes. stability demonstrate potential be used generic platform chemical biological bioimaging applications.