A facile synthesis of CuFe2O4/Cu9S8/PPy ternary nanotubes as peroxidase mimics for the sensitive colorimetric detection of H2O2 and dopamine.

Synergistic effects play an important role in improving the catalytic activity for enzyme-like reactions. Compared to individual nanomaterials, a system consisting of multiple components usually exhibits enhanced catalytic activity as an enzyme mimic. Herein we describe the synthesis of CuFe2O4/Cu9S8/polypyrrole (PPy) ternary nanotubes as an efficient peroxidase mimic via a three-step approach involving an electrospinning process, annealing treatment and hydrothermal reaction. The remarkably enhanced catalytic activity of CuFe2O4/Cu9S8/PPy ternary nanotubes as peroxidase mimics over individual CuFe2O4 nanofibers, CuFe2O4/CuO composite nanofibers, CuFe2O4/CuS composite nanofibers, and PPy materials has been achieved, demonstrating the presence of a synergistic effect among the components. The steady-state kinetic experiment suggests a good catalytic efficiency of the CuFe2O4/Cu9S8/PPy ternary nanotubes. On the basis of high catalytic activity, a colorimetric platform for the sensitive detection of H2O2 and dopamine has been developed. This work not only offers a simple approach for the fabrication of a high performance peroxidase-like nanocatalyst, but also provides its promising potential applications in biosensors, medical diagnosis, and environmental monitoring.