Recent advances in metal–organic frameworks for antibacterial applications: mechanisms and emerging strategies

Bacterial infections represent a significant and ongoing challenge to public health worldwide. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), owing to their distinctive structural features and tunable physicochemical properties, have demonstrated considerable potential in antibacterial applications. Extensive research has been conducted to explore the application of MOFs in antimicrobial contexts. This review systematically examines the underlying antibacterial mechanisms of MOFs, including the release of metal ions, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and physical disruption of microbial membranes. Furthermore, it also discussed the specific applications of MOFs against various bacterial species and evaluates their prospective roles in the development of advanced antibacterial strategies.