Photothermal-enhanced peroxidase-like activity of CDs/PBNPs for the detection of Fe3+ and cholesterol in serum samples

Carbon dots/Prussian blue nanoparticles (CDs/PBNPs) with fluorescence (FL) performance and peroxidase-like activity are synthesized by a simple two-step method. The FL of CDs/PBNPs can be effectively quenched by Fe3+. Fe3+ can accelerate the peroxidase-like activity of CDs/PBNPs. More excitingly, the peroxidase-like activity of CDs/PBNPs could be further enhanced due to the influence of the photothermal effect. Based on the FL property and enhanced peroxidase-like activity, a cascade strategy is proposed for detection of Fe3+ and free cholesterol. CD/PBNPs act as FL probe for detection of Fe3+. The enhanced peroxidase-like activity of CDs/PBNPs can also be used as colorimetric probe for the detection of free cholesterol. The detection ranges of Fe3+ and free cholesterol are 4–128 μM and 2–39 μM, and the corresponding limit of detections are 2.0 μM and 1.63 μM, respectively. The proposed strategy has been verified by the feasibility determination of Fe3+ and free cholesterol, suggesting its potential in the prediction of disease.Graphical abstract