Strategies for enhancing the activity of gold nanoparticle nanozymes: surface engineering based on polymers, MOF, and proteins

The practical applications of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) nanozymes are restricted by their relatively low catalytic efficiency and poor stability. Three major strategies are systematically reviewed: polymer modification, metal-organic framework (MOF) loading, and protein protection. Polymer modification introduces functional polymer chains to modulate the local microenvironment, achieving fine-tuning of catalytic activity and stimulus-responsiveness. MOF loading strategies leverage the high surface area and synergistic electronic effects of MOF to significantly enhance enzyme-like activity and enable easy recovery. Protein protection strategies utilize the natural advantages of biomacromolecules, using the protein corona to significantly enhance catalytic selectivity and substrate specificity, mimicking the sophisticated microenvironment of natural enzymes. This review elaborates on the design principles and applications of each strategy, providing theoretical guidance for the rational design and practical application of AuNPs nanozymes.