Artificial Enzyme with Organophosphorus Hydrolase-Like Activity-Quenched Aggregation-Induced Emission Effect: Self-Reporting and Specific Assay of Nerve Agents

Given the promising prospect of organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH)-like nanozymes in a biochemical assay, it is interesting and significant to combine two signal channels into one method for nerve agents and organophosphorus pesticide detection. Here, AIEzyme with bifunctionality was designed and synthesized via simple heating process, which integrates the OPH-like catalytic feature of AIE material and their fluorescence property. It exhibited a detector response via both fluorescence and visible colorimetric observation. Moreover, the OPH-mimicking activity of AIEzyme exhibits high catalytic activity and does not produce ROS, freeing the corresponding detection system from interference in a colorimetric assay. Interestingly, AIEzyme with OPH-like activity-caused quenching effect on inherent fluorescence, which triggers a self-reporting and specific nerve agents assay process based on the unique features of AIEzyme. Due to the complementary and synergistic effects of the integration of the two signals in one method, a simple dual-mode colorimetric and fluorescence assay with specific sensitivity, high flexibility, and portability is established, which not only improves analytical efficiency but also expands the detection range. The proposed strategy will open avenues for expanding the application of AIE materials and artificial enzymes such as environmental monitoring and food safety.