Novel hierarchical NiO nanoflowers exhibiting intrinsic superoxide dismutase-like activity.

Novel hierarchical NiO nanoflowers assembled by ultrathin nanoflakes were found to exhibit intrinsic superoxide dismutase-like activity for the first time. Arising from the unique flower-like structure and the appropriate redox potential of NiII/NiIII (0.683 V vs. normal hydrogen electrode), the NiO nanoflowers had the activity parameters of IC50 = 45.2 μg mL-1 and Km = 0.043 mM, which would greatly encourage the development of NiO nanomaterial-based biomimetic superoxide dismutase.