Hollow porous N-doped carbon-based Co4N with peroxidase-like activity for detection of H2O2 under non-physiologic conditions

Abstract Considering the significance of H2O2 to chemical industry and environmental security, it is meaningful to develop convenient and sensitive analytical methods for H2O2 detection under the harsh environment. Herein, a hollow porous N-doped carbon skeleton coated on the surface of Co4N nanoparticles (Co4N@NC) was obtained by pyrolysis of Co-MOF. Carbon coating and the hollow porous structure of Co4N@NC can not only stabilize Co4N NPs, but also promote the electron transfer between the active center and subtracts, affording Co4N@NC high catalytic activity and stability under harsh conditions (such as high temperature, acidic and basic conditions, high salt concentration). Co4N@NC shows excellent peroxidase-like activity and performs well in colorimetric analysis for H2O2 and glucose with a detection limit of 0.032 μM and 0.29 μM, respectively.