Two-dimensional copper metal-organic frameworks as antibacterial agents for biofilm treatment

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) composed of functional metal ions/clusters and suitable bridging ligands are highly designable, which have shown excellent catalytic activity as nanozymes and are promising for antibacterial therapy. Herein, two-dimensional (2D) copper MOF nanosheets (Cu-MOF NSs) as effective antibacterial agents were prepared through a simple one-step method. The 2D Cu-MOF NSs displayed a peroxidase-like activity toward H2O2 decomposition into highly cytotoxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH). Notably, the 2D morphology of Cu-MOF NSs provides a high density of Cu2+/Cu+ surface active sites, which could efficiently oxidize the proteins and lipids on the bacterial surface and induce the death of bacteria. It is found that the as-prepared 2D Cu-MOF NSs exhibited antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and could efficiently eradicate the biofilm of S. aureus. Up to 99.9% bacteria were killed at a Cu-MOF concentration of 4 µg/mL. This study opens a new avenue for the design of MOF-based antibacterial agents to combat pathogenic bacterial infections.