Structural engineering of 2D metal-organic framework-based nanomaterials for antibacterial applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

• Drug-resistant bacterial infections pose a significant global health threat, necessitating alternatives to conventional antibiotics.
• Two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show promise for antibacterial applications due to their unique nanoscale properties.
• The intrinsic antibacterial activity of unmodified 2D MOFs is often insufficient, requiring structural optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review recent advancements in the structural engineering of 2D MOF-based nanomaterials for improved antibacterial therapy.
• To elucidate the key engineering strategies employed to enhance the performance of 2D MOFs.
• To discuss the diverse antibacterial mechanisms facilitated by these engineered nanomaterials.

Main Methods:

• Summarizing recent literature on the structural engineering of 2D MOFs for antibacterial applications.
• Detailing five primary engineering strategies: dimension/morphology control, heterojunction construction, functional modification, element ratio regulation, and defect engineering.
• Analyzing the impact of these strategies on physicochemical properties and antibacterial efficacy.

Main Results:

• Engineered 2D MOFs exhibit enhanced reactive oxygen species generation, charge separation, catalytic activity, and bacterial targeting.
• Diverse antibacterial mechanisms are enabled, including photoresponsive, nanozyme-catalyzed, ion release, ultrasound-activated, physical disruption, and synergistic therapies.
• Structural modifications significantly boost the overall antibacterial performance of 2D MOFs.

Conclusions:

• Structural engineering is crucial for optimizing 2D MOF nanomaterials for combating drug-resistant bacteria.
• Engineered 2D MOFs offer a versatile platform for developing novel antibacterial agents with multiple mechanisms of action.
• Further research and development are needed to address challenges in clinical translation, including scalability, biocompatibility, and stability.