A simple and efficient method was used to synthesize norepinephrine-induced AuPd aerogels (AuPd-NE) with dual enzyme properties, i.e. glucose oxidase-like property, and peroxidase-like property. Thus, AuPd-NE aerogels can be considered as a tandem nanozyme with tandem enzyme-like activity. In the presence of AuPd-NE aerogels, glucose can be decomposed into gluconic acid and H₂O₂. Then, H₂O₂ will continue to decompose into ·OH and H₂O. The generated ·OH will oxidize colorless 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to blue products of ox-TMB. Accordingly, an enzyme-free method based on AuPd-NE aerogels was proposed for sensitive colorimetric detection of glucose. The linear range of the developed method was 30 to 250 μM, and the limit of detection was 10 μM. The method presents reliable applicability for blood glucose detection in human serum samples. This study will deepen the understanding of tandem nanozymes and then rationally design tandem nanozymes for many fascinating biomedical applications.

Graphical abstract

A simple, sensitive and reliable one-pot enzyme-free colourimetric assay for glucose was developed