Antibacterial Photodynamic Study on Porphyrin-Based MOF Nanoflowers under Visible Light

Photodynamic antibacterial materials based on reactive oxygen species (ROS), with the advantages of nonresistance and avoiding common issues such as nonspecific cellular toxicity associated with many antibiotic drugs, are gradually emerging as an attractive treatment modality with significant potential for antibacterial therapy. However, the effectiveness and safety of current photodynamic antibacterial materials still need to be improved. In this study, porphyrin-based metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoflowers were designed and synthesized via a solvent-thermal method using meso-tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) as the organic ligands and Cu²⁺ as the coordinating metal ions, which show visible light responsive photodynamic and photothermal antibacterial effects. As a precise stimulus, visible light can effectively control the production of ROS, enabling controllable photodynamic effects and achieving remarkable photothermal antibacterial efficacy. The designed porphyrin-based MOF nanoflowers have successfully demonstrated broad-spectrum, nonresistant antibacterial properties against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi while exhibit excellent biocompatibility. This work paves the way for a safe and effective approach to photodynamic antibacterial therapy.