Modulated antibacterial activity in ZnO@MIL‐53(Fe) and CuO@MIL‐53(Fe) nanocomposites prepared by simple thermal treatment process

Abstract

By controlling the release of encapsulated antibacterial materials and the intrinsic antibacterial components of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) through the slow degradation of their frameworks, the composite material that contains self‐degrading MOFs demonstrates synergistic antibacterial effects. In this study, MIL‐53(Fe) was investigated for finding MOFs that have metal oxides in the pores ([CuO]1.3@MIL‐53(Fe) and [ZnO]1.05@MIL‐53(Fe)) with antibacterial activity. MIL‐53(Fe) exhibits a significant surface area and precise pore structure, so it was a good choice for this study. MIL‐53(Fe) was synthesized by solvothermal method, and [Cu (CH3COO)2.H2O]1.0@MIL‐53(Fe) and [Zn (CH3COO)2.2H2O]0.5@MIL‐53(Fe) were prepared by immersion of the MOF in aqueous solution of [Cu (CH3COO)2.H2O] and [Zn (CH3COO)2.2H2O], respectively. Then, the [MO]x@MIL‐53(Fe) nanocomposites were prepared by thermal treatment of [Cu (CH3COO)2.H2O]1.0@MIL‐53(Fe) and [Zn (CH3COO)2.2H2O]0.5@MIL‐53(Fe) at 310°C and 290°C in N2 atmosphere, respectively. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer, X‐ray powder diffraction, inductively coupled plasma–Optical Emission Spectrometry, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, energy‐dispersive spectrometer‐mapping, and thermogravimetric analysis analyses were proved the successful synthesis of these compounds. Finally, the antibacterial activity of the composites was assessed against both Gram‐positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli).