Activity regulation and applications of metal–organic framework-based nanozymes

As a new generation of artificial enzymes, nanozymes show outstanding advantages such as high stability, low cost, and facile synthesis, which endow them with promising applications in biomedical and environmental fields. Among the various reported nanozymes, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) could mimic the active center of natural enzymes and provide a hydrophobic environment, which makes MOFs attractive alternatives to natural enzymes. Owing to the highly structural diversity and tailorability of MOFs, rational design will contribute to improve the activity of MOF-based nanozymes and promote their potential applications in both biomedical and environmental fields. Therefore, a comprehensive summary of activity regulatory strategies of MOF-based nanozymes is urgently needed. Firstly, we summarized the activity regulatory strategies of MOFs with intrinsic enzyme-like activities via modulation of metal nodes, ligands, structures and morphologies. Then the applications of MOF-based nanozymes in biosensing, hazardous degradation, antibacterial, and cancer therapy were also introduced. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives were discussed in depth. It is highly expected that this review will provide a better understanding on the rational design of novel high-performance MOF-based nanozymes. Graphical Abstract