Se and N doped hierarchical porous carbon nanozyme-mediated colorimetric sensing array for antioxidants discrimination

Although nanozymes-mediated turn-off colorimetric sensing of antioxidants has been extensively investigated, the investigation of specific inhibition between nanozymes and antioxidants is still a challenge. Herein, selenium and nitrogen co-doped carbon nanozymes (Se-NC) with hierarchical porous structure were successfully prepared and demonstrated enhanced peroxidase (POD)-like activity. Besides, the reversible inhibitory effect between antioxidants and Se-NC nanozymes is confirmed based on the Lineweaver-Burk plots. According to the specific inhibitory effect of antioxidants toward on the POD-like activity of prepared nanozymes, a colorimetric sensor array is established for the identification of antioxidants. The research designs a nanozyme with enhanced POD-like activity and provides insights into inhibition mechanisms between nanozymes and the corresponding inhibitor. • Selenium and nitrogen co-doped carbon nanozymes with hierarchical porous demonstrate enhanced POD-like activity. • Antioxidants as inhibitors can inhibit the activity of nanozyme through a typically reversible mixing inhibition. • A colorimetric sensor array is constructed to discriminate multiple antioxidants.