Dual-Light-Responsive Fe-Doped Covalent Organic Framework-Functionalized SiO₂ Nanofibrous Membrane for Synergistic...

Background/Objectives: The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria has increased the demand for non-antibiotic antibacterial strategies. Although photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) are promising alternatives, each modality alone may show limited antibacterial efficacy. This study aimed to construct a flexible dual-light-responsive nanofibrous membrane integrating PTT and PDT for improved in vitro antibacterial activity against MDR bacteria. Methods: A silica nanofibrous membrane (SNF) was prepared by electrospinning followed by calcination. An Fe-doped sulfonated TpPa covalent organic framework (SCOF-Fe) was then grown in situ on the SNF surface via an interfacial diffusion strategy to obtain SNF@SCOF-Fe. The membrane was characterized in terms of morphology, structure, optical absorption, photothermal performance, Fe loading, Fe leaching, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In vitro antibacterial activity against supplier-reported MDR Escherichia coli (E. coli) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was evaluated under 420 nm, 808 nm, and dual-light (420 + 808 nm) irradiation. Results: Fe doping broadened the optical absorption of the COF-functionalized membrane into the near-infrared region and improved its photothermal response. Under dual-light irradiation, SNF@SCOF-Fe generated singlet oxygen, superoxide radicals, and hydroxyl radicals, together with a greater temperature increase than the undoped membrane. Within 15 min, SNF@SCOF-Fe achieved antibacterial rates of 99.29% against E. coli and 99.62% against MRSA. In addition, controlled dual-light cytocompatibility testing yielded 78.76% viability in L929 fibroblasts and 82.86% viability in MC38 murine colon carcinoma cells after SNF@SCOF-Fe treatment. Conclusions: SNF@SCOF-Fe combines dual-light-triggered photothermal heating and ROS generation within a flexible nanofibrous membrane and demonstrated effective in vitro antibacterial activity against two representative resistant bacteria. These findings support further investigation of SNF@SCOF-Fe as a light-responsive antibacterial membrane in relevant in vitro and in vivo models.