Atomically dispersed Fe-Mn dual sites in N-doped carbon nanozymes with peroxidase-mimetic activity for the determination of thiocyanate.

FeMn dual-active-site single-atom catalyst (FeMn-N-C), featuring manganese-enhanced Fe-N-doped carbon with abundant FeMn-N4 and C-N active groups, was fabricated via hydrothermal synthesis followed by high-temperature pyrolysis. Thiocyanate (SCN⁻) can be adsorbed onto the FeMn-N-C surface by binding to Fe/Mn atoms, blocking the active sites of the mimic peroxidase and thereby inhibiting the corresponding chromogenic reaction of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine, achieving rapid and sensitive colorimetric detection of SCN⁻. Under optimal conditions, the established biosensor exhibited a linear range of 0.2-11 μmol L, with a detection limit of 66.7 nmol L. Experimental findings and theoretical calculations demonstrated that the superior activity of FeMn-N-C stemmed from the synergistic effect of the dual atoms, which boosted substrate adsorption and reduced the reaction barrier. This strategy provided mechanistic insights into the rational design of advanced nanozymes, highlighting their potential for food safety and environmental monitoring applications.