Photocatalytic Biocidal Coatings Featuring Zr₆Ti₄-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Photocatalysis

Background:

• Healthcare textiles are vulnerable to microbial contamination, posing risks during pandemics like COVID-19.
• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer tunable properties for antimicrobial applications.
• Zirconium-pyrene-based MOF NU-1000 serves as a base for developing advanced materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a highly reactive, biocidal photocatalyst by incorporating titanium into a zirconium-pyrene-based MOF.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of dual active centers and ligand migration in the new MOF.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of MOF-coated textiles as antimicrobial surfaces.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized a titanium-incorporated zirconium-pyrene-based MOF, NU-1012.
• Investigated ligand migration phenomenon within the MOF structure.
• Coated cotton textile cloths with NU-1012.
• Tested the biocidal activity of the coated textiles against bacteria and viruses under visible light irradiation.

Main Results:

• NU-1012 exhibits a rare ligand migration phenomenon, enhancing its photocatalytic activity.
• Synergistic action between Ti/Zr centers and pyrene linkers broadens light absorption and boosts reactive oxygen species generation.
• Cotton textiles coated with NU-1012 demonstrated rapid and potent eradication of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and T7 bacteriophage virus.
• Achieved up to a 7-log reduction in microbial load within 1 hour under simulated daylight.

Conclusions:

• The developed NU-1012 MOF is a highly effective biocidal photocatalyst.
• The ligand migration process in Zr-MOFs is a versatile strategy for material enhancement.
• MOF-coated textiles offer a promising solution for creating self-disinfecting surfaces in healthcare and public spaces.