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Nanozymes are more stable, economical, and easier to produce than natural enzymes; however, their low activity in non-acidic environments and lack of substrate selectivity severely limit the applications of nanozymes. In this study, we developed Co- and N-doped carbon dot nanozymes (CoNCDs) that specifically exhibited peroxidase-like activity toward o-phenylenediamine in a non-acidic environment. Based on the peroxidase-like activity and fluorescence property of CoNCDs in a neutral environment, a one-pot multi-mode sensing platform (colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescence imaging) was developed to detect cholesterol and xanthine in solution and human serum samples. This platform was simple to operate, and the CoNCDs demonstrated a reduced detection time and an improved analytical performance compared to most of the reported nanozymes. Moreover, the improved peroxidase activity at neutral pH, good biocompatibility, and photostability of CoNCDs facilitated their use for monitoring endogenous H 2 O 2 levels in vivo. This study not only provides a novel approach for developing an acid pH-independent and substrate selectivity nanozyme but also demonstrates the application of ratiometric fluorescence imaging using the developed CoNCDs both in vitro and in vivo. [Display omitted] • CoNCDs showed the peroxidase-like activity at neutral and alkaline pH. • CoNCDs showed the substrate selectivity toward OPD, but no activity toward TMB and ABTS. • The one-pot multi-mode sensing platform for cholesterol and xanthine were developed. • CoNCDs was firstly applied to monitor H 2 O 2 in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanozymes are more stable, economical, and easier to produce than natural enzymes; however, their low activity in non-acidic environments and lack of substrate selectivity severely limit the applications of nanozymes. In this study, we developed Co- and N-doped carbon dot nanozymes (CoNCDs) that specifically exhibited peroxidase-like activity toward o-phenylenediamine in a non-acidic environment. Based on the peroxidase-like activity and fluorescence property of CoNCDs in a neutral environment, a one-pot multi-mode sensing platform (colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescence imaging) was developed to detect cholesterol and xanthine in solution and human serum samples. This platform was simple to operate, and the CoNCDs demonstrated a reduced detection time and an improved analytical performance compared to most of the reported nanozymes. Moreover, the improved peroxidase activity at neutral pH, good biocompatibility, and photostability of CoNCDs facilitated their use for monitoring endogenous H 2 O 2 levels in vivo. This study not only provides a novel approach for developing an acid pH-independent and substrate selectivity nanozyme but also demonstrates the application of ratiometric fluorescence imaging using the developed CoNCDs both in vitro and in vivo. [Display omitted] • CoNCDs showed the peroxidase-like activity at neutral and alkaline pH. • CoNCDs showed the substrate selectivity toward OPD, but no activity toward TMB and ABTS. • The one-pot multi-mode sensing platform for cholesterol and xanthine were developed. • CoNCDs was firstly applied to monitor H 2 O 2 in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]