Recent progress of MOF-based antibacterial hydrogels

In response to the global risks posed by bacterial infections, especially drug-resistant bacteria, tremendous efforts have been devoted to develop new antibacterial materials with multi-component/multi-mechanism synergistic effects. In recent decades, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and hydrogel, which are both advanced materials that have attracted extensive attention due to their remarkable superiority, can be employed in combination to integrate their benefits and remedy respective drawbacks. Multiple selectivity of components and flexible designability of structures endow the MOF-based hydrogels with versatility, including efficient antibacterial ability, diverse bioactivity and improved biocompatibility, which have exhibited extraordinary potential in the antibacterial field. In this review, the synthesis, antibacterial mechanisms and applications of MOF-based antibacterial hydrogels are systematically described. We argue that understanding the antibacterial mechanisms of materials as well as the defense mechanisms of bacteria is crucial for the development of novel antibacterial materials and for minimizing resistance evolution. Furthermore, future research initiatives and remaining challenges are highlighted.