Liquid-phase growth of platinum nanoparticles on molybdenum trioxide nanosheets: an enhanced catalyst with intrinsic peroxidase-like catalytic activity.

A facile method for the synthesis of metal nanostructure-decorated two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor nanosheets was developed. The solution-processable molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) nanosheet was used as a template for direct liquid-phase growth of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) under ambient conditions. Results show that the Pt NPs with sizes of 1-3 nm were uniformly grown on the MoO3 surface. Importantly, the Pt-MoO3 hybrid nanomaterial exhibits an enhanced peroxidase-like catalytic activity compared to the MoO3 nanosheet, Pt NPs, and their physical mixture under the same conditions. As a proof-of-concept application, the Pt-MoO3 hybrid nanomaterial was used as a high-efficiency peroxidase-mimic for ultrasensitive colorimetric detection of glucose in serum samples. This work provides a promising strategy for design and development of biomimetic catalysts by smart assembly of different dimensional nanomaterials.