Introduction of Nanozymes

Nanozymes, a new class of nanomaterials that possess enzyme-like activity first discovered in 2007, have changed the way we view nanomaterials, which were previously thought to be biologically inert. As a new and promising generation of artificial enzymes, nanozymes are characterized not only by their high catalytic activity under physiological conditions but also by their unique attributes such as their dual functionality, multi-enzyme activity, and the ability to perform low-temperature catalysis. Due to their unique characteristics, nanozymes may have applications beyond the reach of natural enzymes and chemical catalysts. This chapter covers the fundamental concepts of nanozymes, delving into their discovery and definition, as well as their unique characteristics and novel application for catalytic medicine. Moreover, this chapter outlines the challenges and opportunities in the field and provides an outlook on future developments in the field of biomedical nanozymes.