REVIEW article
Front. Nanotechnol.
Sec. Nanomaterials
This article is part of the Research TopicFunctional Carbon and 2D-based Nanomaterials: Synthesis and ApplicationsView all articles
Colloidal Nanocrystals and Heterostructures in Redox Biology: Principles, Probe Design and Applications in Exercise Physiology
Provisionally accepted
- 1Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- 2Liaoning Normal University School of Psychology, Dalian, China
- 3School of Music, Liaoning Normal University Dalian 116029, China, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao, China
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Colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) and engineered heterostructures offer tunable optical, electronic and redox-active properties that make them attractive platforms for sensing and modulating reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) in biological systems. Here we review synthesis strategies (including hot-injection, heat-up, cation/anion exchange and galvanic replacement) and surface/interface engineering approaches that enable precise control of band alignment, charge separation and surface reactivity. We synthesize current mechanistic understanding of NC-radical interactions, including photo-and electrochemically mediated electron transfer pathways and nanozyme-like catalytic behaviour, and evaluate analytical performance metrics (sensitivity, selectivity, dynamic range, time resolution) relevant for physiological monitoring. We particularly examine integration of NC probes into wearable and implantable formats for monitoring exercise-induced redox dynamics, and discuss therapeutic opportunities where NCs act as both reporters and modulators of oxidative stress. Finally, we discuss translational opportunities where redox-active nanocrystals function not only as reporters but also as modulators of oxidative stress, including antioxidant nanozyme-like scavenging of excessive ROS in inflammation or exercise-induced muscle damage, and photo-/electrochemically triggered ROS generation for localized antimicrobial or oncological interventions. These dual-function platforms motivate closed-loop concepts that integrate real-time redox monitoring with on-demand redox modulation
Keywords: Colloidal nanocrystals, exercise-induced redox dynamics, PROBES, redox biology, Synthesis strategies
Received: 19 Nov 2025; Accepted: 10 Feb 2026.
Copyright: © 2026 Zhang, Wang, Deng and Liu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Jinghua Liu
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