Boron nanosheets as a phosphatase mimicking nanozyme with ultrahigh catalytic activity for prodrug-based cancer therapy

Boron nanosheets (BNSs) are reported as a new phosphatase mimicking nanozyme. Surprisingly, the catalytic rate of BNSs is up to 17 times those of known phosphatase mimicking nanozymes. By adding polyols and Lewis bases, the catalytic activity of BNSs was attributed to the Lewis acidity of the B centers of the BNSs. Theoretical investigation shows that the B centers are responsible for the catalytic hydrolysis of phosphoesters. Moreover, the biomimetic activity of the BNSs was further explored for enhancing anticancer therapy through nanozyme-catalyzed prodrug conversion. The superior phosphatase-like catalytic activity of non-metallic boron nanosheets was disclosed for the first time. As a demonstration, boron nanosheets were employed for promoting prodrug conversion.