LaFeO3/g-C3N4 heterostructure nanozyme with enhanced peroxidase-like activity for colorimetric detection of tetracycline

Tetracycline (TC) residues in food and the environment pose serious health risks, highlighting the need for efficient detection methods. Herein, a series of LaFeO 3 /g-C 3 N 4 (LFCN) heterostructure nanozymes with varying LaFeO 3 -to-urea ratios were synthesized via an in-situ growth method. Structural characterizations confirmed the successful formation of the heterostructure, with LaFeO 3 nanoparticles uniformly dispersed on g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets. Among the composites, LFCN-20 (LaFeO 3 -to-urea = 1:20) exhibited the highest peroxidase-like activity and a lower Michaelis–Menten constant than that of natural horseradish peroxidase. It effectively catalyzed the H 2 O 2 -mediated oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), generating a blue product with an absorption peak at 652 nm. Notably, the absorbance signal was significantly enhanced in the presence of TC. Based on this effect, a colorimetric sensor was constructed, exhibiting a linear response to TC from 0.25 to 2.50 μg/mL, with a low detection limit of 0.076 μg/mL, and achieving recoveries of 93.9%–108.2% in spiked egg samples. These findings highlight the potential of LaFeO 3 /g-C 3 N 4 nanozymes for the sensitive and selective detection of tetracycline, offering a practical approach for ensuring food safety.