Insight into nanozymes for their environmental applications as antimicrobial and antifouling agents: Progress, challenges and prospects

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic-resistant genes have becoming one of major environmental pollutants, which lead to the increased potential risk to human health and ecological safety. Additionally, bacterial surface biofouling has caused severe problems in a range of industries, which results in considerable economic losses and even the ecological unbalance of a local environment. Therefore, alternative antimicrobial and antifouling strategies different to traditions methods are urgently needed. Nanozymes (nanomaterials with enzyme-mimicking activities)-based antibacterial and antifouling agents has drawn considerable interests owing to their intrinsic high stability and excellent environmental adaptability. In view of the great advancement of nanozymes in environmentally antibacterial and antifouling applications, we briefly summarize the classification of nanozymes relevant to environmental applications and discuss their catalytic mechanism. We also cover the regulation strategies of nanozymes activity, including tuning the intrinsic physicochemical properties of nanomaterials and changing environmental factors. Moreover, we highlight the environmental applications of nanozymes as antimicrobial and antifouling agents, especially for water treatment. Finally, the future opportunities and challenges for the advancement of nanozymes are outlined and discussed. This review not only gives the overview of the recent research of nanozymes as antimicrobial and antifouling agents for environmental applications, but also provides an important guidance for designing nanozymes. [Display omitted] •The classification of nanozyme for environmental applications and their corresponding catalytic mechanisms are introduced.•The regulation strategies of activity and selectivity of nanozyme are summarized.•The recent progress of nanozymes for environmental applications as antibacterial and antifouling materials are reviewed.•The current challenges and future focus of nanozymes for practical applications are proposed.