Novel tungsten carbide nanorods: An intrinsic peroxidase mimetic with high activity and stability in aqueous and organic solvents

Tungsten carbide nanorods have been demonstrated for the first time to possess intrinsic peroxidase-like activity to catalytically oxidize the peroxidase substrates in the presence of H2O2 in both aqueous and organic media. The colorimetric reactions in organic media are different with that performed in aqueous solutions. Based on the peroxidase-like properties of these WC NRs, a colorimetric sensor for H2O2 is designed. With high activity, remarkable stability and considerable reusability, tungsten carbide nanorods would be a promising peroxidase mimic.