Preparation of Au/Pt/Ti3C2Cl2 nanoflakes with self-reducing method for colorimetric detection of glutathione and intracellular sensing of hydrogen peroxide

A novel two-dimensional nanolayered Ti3C2Cl2 MXene material derived from MAX phase was synthesized through a HF-free method based on elemental replacement reaction in the A atom of traditional Ti(3)AlC2 MAX phase and ZnCl2 molten salts, which possess large specific surface areas, excellent electric conductivity and reducing property. Then the Au/Pt bimetallic nanoparticles decorated Ti3C2Cl2 nanoflakes were synthesized by a self-reduction method with Ti3C2Cl2 as a natural reducing agent and supporter, which possess peroxidase mimic activity and oxidase mimic activity, simultaneously. Based on the prominent catalytic activity of Au/Pt/Ti3C2Cl2 nanocomposite, a novel colorimetric platform was developed for in situ sensing of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) released from live HeLa cells and colorimetric detection of glutathione (GSH), with the detection ranges of 50-10000 mu M and 0.1-20 mu M, the detection limits were 10.24 mu M and 0.07 mu M, respectively. These results allow utilization of the easily accessible 2D surface for the design and application of 2D layered material-supported MXene nanocomposites catalysts in intracellular biosensing.