Mn‐functionalized ZIF‐67 for Sensitive Colorimetric Detection of Artemisinin and Ascorbic Acid

Abstract Artemisinin (Art) is the first‐choice medicine for treating malaria. It also shows good therapeutic effects in antibacterial and antitumor treatment. Therefore, a simple and efficient method for detecting Art is of great significance. Mn‐functionalized ZIF‐67 (Mn@ZIF‐67) hybrid materials were synthesized using a post‐synthesis modification method. Due to the introduction of Mn 2+ , Mn@ZIF‐67 possesses higher peroxidase/oxidase like dual‐mimic enzymes activity than ZIF‐67, which can catalyze Art and generate peroxyl radicals. Based on this fact, Mn@ZIF‐67 was used to detect Art in the presence of TMB. A good linear relationship between absorption intensities at 652 nm and Art concentrations was obtained in the range of 0–22 μM with a detection limit of 200 nM. Ascorbic acid (AA), due to its reducibility, can inhibit peroxidase/oxidase mimetics activity of Mn@ZIF‐67 and the blue Mn@ZIF‐67‐TMB solution fades gradually with the addition of AA. Mn@ZIF‐67‐TMB acting as a colorimetric sensor, AA can be sensitively detected ranging from 0–30 μM, and the detection limit is 50 nM. Coexisting substances don't interfere with the detection of Art or AA. This sensing platform provides a highly sensitive and selective colorimetric method for monitoring AA and Art in serum, thereby demonstrating remarkable practicality.