Ultrafine V2O5-anchored 3D N-doped carbon nanocomposite with augmented dual-enzyme mimetic activity for evaluating total antioxidant capacity

Qi Wang; Yongli Ding; Randy A Dahlgren; Yue Sun; Jingjing Gu; Yuhao Li; Tingting Liu; Xuedong Wang

doi:10.1016/j.aca.2023.341072

Ultrafine V₂O₅-anchored 3D N-doped carbon nanocomposite with augmented dual-enzyme mimetic activity for evaluating total antioxidant capacity

Anal Chim Acta. 2023 Apr 29:1252:341072. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341072. Epub 2023 Mar 8.

Authors

Qi Wang¹, Yongli Ding¹, Randy A Dahlgren², Yue Sun¹, Jingjing Gu¹, Yuhao Li¹, Tingting Liu³, Xuedong Wang⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China.
² Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, UC, 95616, USA.
³ School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China. Electronic address: liutt@mail.usts.edu.cn.
⁴ School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China. Electronic address: zjuwxd@163.com.

PMID: 36935159
DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341072

Abstract

Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) can be evaluated by detecting the content of antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, based on the enzyme-mimetic activity of nanomaterials. Herein, we fabricated a 3D-V₂O₅/NC nanocomposite using a self-templating strategy, which achieved ultrafine particles (∼2.5 nm), a porous carbon layer, large specific surface area (152.4 m²/g), N-doping and heterogeneous structure. The strong catalytic activity of 3D-V₂O₅/NC resulted from the integrated effect between the ultrafine structure of V₂O₅ nanoparticles and the 3D porous nitrogen-doped carbon framework, effectively increasing the number of active sites. This nanozyme presented a higher catalytic activity than its components or precursors in the nanocomposite (e.g., VN/NC, NC, V₂O₅, and VO₂/g-C₃N₄). ROS scavenging experiments confirmed that the dual enzyme-like activity of 3D-V₂O₅/NC (catalase-like and oxidase-like) resulted from their co-participation of ‧O₂^-, h⁺ and ‧OH, among which ‧O₂^- played a crucial role in the catalytic color reaction. By virtue of the 3D-V₂O₅/NC nanoenzyme activity and TMB as a chromogenic substrate, the mixed system of 3D-V₂O₅/NC + TMB + H₂O₂ provided a low detection limit (0.03 μM) and suitable recovery (93.0-109.5%) for AA. Additionally, a smartphone-based colorimetric application was developed employing "Thing Identify" software to evaluate TAC in beverages. The colorimetric sensor and smartphone-detection platform provide a better or comparable analytical performance for TAC assessment in comparison to commercial ABTS test kits. The newly developed smartphone-based colorimetric platform presents several prominent advantageous, such as low cost, simple/rapid operation, and feasibility for outdoor use.

Keywords: 3D-V(2)O(5)/NC nanocomposite; Dual-enzyme mimetic activity; Smartphone-based colorimetric sensor; Superoxide anion; Total antioxidant capacity; Vanadium pentoxide.

MeSH terms

Antioxidants*
Ascorbic Acid
Carbon / chemistry
Colorimetry / methods
Hydrogen Peroxide
Nanocomposites* / chemistry

Substances

Antioxidants
Carbon
Hydrogen Peroxide
Ascorbic Acid