Oxygen-tuned nanozyme polymerization for the preparation of hydrogels with printable and antibacterial properties

Abstract

Nanozymes merge nanotechnology with biology and provide a lower cost and higher stability options, compared to that of natural enzymes. However, nanozyme catalyzed polymerization under physiological conditions is still a big challenge due to heavy oxygen inhibition. In this study, the simple glucose oxidase system can effectively adjust oxygen concentration and generate hydrogen peroxide, which assists in the realization of nanozyme-catalyzed polymerization. The nanozyme based hydrogel is printable due to its mild preparation with gradually increased viscosity. The antibacterial performance is ascribed to the in situ generated hydroxyl radical via the reaction of the bound nanozyme and glucose.