Metal–Organic Framework‐Derived Copper Nanoparticle@Carbon Nanocomposites as Peroxidase Mimics for Colorimetric Sensing of Ascorbic Acid

Abstract

Abstract Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as very fascinating functional materials due to their diversity nature. A nanocomposite consisting of copper nanoparticles dispersed within a carbon matrix (Cu NPs@C) is prepared through a one‐pot thermolysis of copper‐based metal–organic framework precursors. Cu NPs@C can catalyze the oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to form a colored product in the presence of H 2 O 2 . As a peroxidase mimic, Cu NPs@C not only has the advantages of low cost, high stability, and easy preparation, but also follows Michaelis–Menten behaviors and shows strong affinity to H 2 O 2 . As the Cu NPs’ surfaces are free from stabilizing agent, Cu NPs@C exhibited a higher affinity to H 2 O 2 than horseradish peroxidase. On the basis of the inhibitory effect of ascorbic acid (AA) on oxidation of TMB, this system serves as a colorimetric method for the detection of AA, suggesting that the present work would expand the potential applications of MOF‐derived nanocomposites in biomedical fields.