Recent advances of nanozymes in glucose detection

Instant and accurate detection of glucose level in blood and urine is of great significance to the early diagnosis and glucose monitoring of diabetes. Since gold nanocluster was found to have intrinsic phosphotransferase-like catalytic activity in 2004, various enzyme-like activities were reported in nanomaterials (nanozymes), such as peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and oxidase. Compared with natural enzymes, nanozymes are of low cost, easy to be prepared, stored and transported, resistant to harsh conditions. Application of nanozymes in glucose detection will prospectively reduce the costs and improve the stability. The recent advances of various nanozymes including nanoparticles of metal, metal oxides, metal sulfides, carbon based materials and composite materials were introduced with emphasis on their advantages over natural enzymes, limits in the detection and linear working range in glucose detection. Challenges and prospects regarding the nanozyme research were also outlined in this review.