Cascade reaction system integrating nanozymes for colorimetric discrimination of organophosphorus pesticides

Abstract Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) are widely used in pest control. The residual OPs can cause pollution to the environment and harm to the human body. Although OPs can inhibit the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and lead to neurological diseases, it also provides enlightenment for the development of a simple and sensitive method for the detection of OPs. Herein, we report a colorimetric sensor array using nanozymes (Fe-N-C nanozymes and Cu-N-C nanozymes) combined with natural enzymes to discriminate eight OPs (Iprobenfos (Ipr), Diazinon (Dia), Crotoxyphos (Cro), Bromophos ethyl (Bro), Dipterex (Dip), Chlorpyrifos methyl (Chl), Ethion (Eth), and Omethoate (Ome)) through a cascade reaction system. Surprisingly, eight OPs were successfully identified in tap water at 1 ng mL−1.