Colorimetric determination of cysteine based on Au@Pt nanoparticles as oxidase mimetics with enhanced selectivity

A H2O2-free colorimetric protocol based on urchin-like Au@Pt nanoparticles (Au@Pt NPs) has been developed for the sensitive and selective determination of cysteine (Cys). We verified the intrinsic oxidase-like activity of the Au@Pt NPs. They can act as artificial mimic oxidases to catalyse the oxidization of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) with the assistance of dissolved oxygen, avoiding the use of H2O2 in the colorimetric determination of Cys. In addition, the discrimination of Cys from the other two biothiol analogues, homocysteine and glutathione, can be easily realized through a simple ageing process. HNO3 is added to this colorimetric system to terminate the reaction by oxidizing ox-TMB (oxidized form of TMB) to diphenoquinone (DPQ), thus generating a characteristic absorption peak of DPQ at 450 nm. By recording the absorbance at 450 nm, interference from the aggregated Au@Pt NPs (absorption peak at 670 nm) when 650 nm (the characteristic absorption peak of ox-TMB) is used as the absorption wavelength can be eliminated. We investigated this H2O2-free colorimetric protocol and obtained high sensitivity, with a detection limit of 1.5 nM and relatively high selectivity. The analytical performance for real samples was further explored. The Au@Pt NP–based H2O2-free colorimetric protocol is of great significance for the sensitive and selective determination of Cys in practical samples in different scenarios.Graphical abstract