Platinum group element-based nanozymes for biomedical applications: an overview

With a rapid advancement of nanotechnology and the close integration of disciplines, research on nanozymes (nanomaterials with enzyme-like activities), is becoming an expeditiously developing field. In recent years, platinum group element (PGE)-based (Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Ir, and Os) nanozymes developed successively, have not only promoted the research of nanozymes but also expanded the biomedical applications of nanomaterials. Generally speaking, PGE-based nanozymes process high catalytic efficiency, specific surface area, stability, and other physical/chemical properties, which benefit for their applications in biosensing, biological medicine, biomedical imaging, and environmental protection. This paper will introduce the research progress of PGE-based nanozymes including their synthesis, characterization, enzyme-like activities, stability, biocompatibility, toxicity, and applications for biological detection and clinical relevance. Our emphasis is put on unfolding the roles of PGE-based nanozymes in biomedical applications and how they overcome the limitations. Last but not least, trends and future perspectives of PGE-based nanozymes in biomedical applications are also provided.