New research suggests mineral nanoparticles as ubiquitous enzyme mimetics in Earth systems

Minerals are inorganic substances, whereas enzymes are organic substances (e.g., proteins). However, many types of Earth-abundant minerals exhibit intrinsic enzyme-like activities when their particles decrease to the nanometer (nm) scale (so called "mineral nanozymes"). The discovery of nanomaterials as new enzyme mimetics has changed the traditional idea that nanomaterials are chemically inert in Earth systems. Now researchers in Tianjin discuss the critical roles played by nanozymes in environmental biogeochemical cycles.