Dual response mimetic enzyme of novel Co4S3/Co3O4 composite nanotube for antibacterial application.

Novel Co4S3/Co3O4 composite nanotubes were first time successfully synthesized through the control of Na2S treatment of Co(CO3)0.35Cl0.20(OH)1.10 precursor and testified to having both oxidase-like and peroxidase-like catalytic activities. Through nanoscale Kirkendall effect, acicular precursor was vulcanized to form Co4S3/Co3O4 nanotubes (NTs). Co4S3/Co3O4 NTs exhibit great properties such as smaller Km and higher Vmax than natural horseradish peroxidase, favorable selectivity and ideal stability. Co4S3/Co3O4 NTs with promising biocompatibility can realize spectral sterilization towards Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus sciuri in the presence of low level H2O2. It turned to be that superoxide anion radical catalyzed by Co4S3/Co3O4 NTs not only oxidizes 3, 3', 5, 5'-tetramethylbenzidine in the catalytic process but also eliminates gram-bacteria during sterilization. The successful synthesis of biofunctional Co4S3/Co3O4 NTs can serve as significant applications of new energy and environmental catalysis.