Photo-enhanced UiO-66/Au Nanoparticles with High Phosphatase-Like Activity for Rapid Degradation and Detection of Paraoxon.

The severe environmental and human health hazards posed by organophosphorus compounds underscore the pressing need for advancements in their degradation and detection. However, practical implementation is impeded by prolonged degradation durations and limited efficiency. Herein, an effective interfacial modification approach is proposed involving the integration of photoactive Au nanoparticles (NPs) onto metal-organic frameworks, resulting in the synthesis of UiO-66/Au NPs exhibiting enhanced hydrolysis activity under light excitation. Under illumination, UiO-66/Au NPs trigger rapid hydrolysis of ethyl-paraoxon within a mere 10-min timeframe, yielding a discernible colorimetric response indicative of extensive hydrolysis. Mechanistic analyses reveal that Au NPs elevate the local catalytic microenvironment temperature of UiO-66/Au NPs under light exposure, facilitating photo-induced charge transfer that enhances the affinity between the Zr clusters within UiO-66/Au NPs and the hydrolytic substrate. These cooperative mechanisms significantly boost the hydrolytic efficiency of UiO-66/Au NPs, resulting in a remarkable 17.8-fold enhancement in catalytic performance. Leveraging the superior photo-enhanced hydrolytic capabilities of UiO-66/Au NPs, a colorimetric sensor is developed for the rapid degradation and detection of ethyl-paraoxon, offering a practical and effective solution for addressing the degradation and detection challenges associated with organophosphorus compounds.