Mechano-Bactericidal Surfaces Achieved by Epitaxial Growth of Metal–Organic Frameworks
Journal article, 2025

Mechano-bactericidal (MB) surfaces have been proposed as an emerging strategy for preventing biofilm formation. Unlike antibiotics and metal ions that chemically interfere with cellular processes, MB nanostructures cause physical damage to the bacteria. The antibacterial performance of artificial MB surfaces relies on rational control of surface features, which is difficult to achieve for large surfaces in real-life applications. Herein, a facile and scalable method is reported for fabricating MB surfaces based on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) using epitaxial MOF-on-MOF hybrids as building blocks with nanopillars of less than 5 nm tip diameter, 200 nm base diameter, and 300 nm length. Two methods of MOF surface assembly, in situ growth and ex situ dropcasting, result in surfaces with nanopillars in different orientations, both presenting MB actions (bactericidal efficiency of 83% for E. coli). Distinct MB mechanisms, including stretching, impaling, and mechanical injury, are discussed with the observed bacterial morphology on the obtained MOF surfaces.

mechano-bactericidal surface

biofilm

metal–organic framework

MOF-on-MOF

antibacterials

Author

Zhejian Cao

Chalmers, Life Sciences, Systems and Synthetic Biology

Santosh Pandit

Huanghe Science and Technology College

Chalmers, Life Sciences, Systems and Synthetic Biology

Francoise Mystere Amombo Noa

Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Catholic University of Central Africa

Jian Zhang

Chalmers, Life Sciences, Systems and Synthetic Biology

Wengeng Gao

Student at Chalmers

Shadi Rahimi

Chalmers, Life Sciences, Systems and Synthetic Biology

Lars Öhrström

Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Wengeng Gao

Chalmers, Life Sciences, Systems and Synthetic Biology

Novo Nordisk Foundation

Advanced Science

2198-3844 (ISSN) 21983844 (eISSN)

Vol. 12 46 e05976

Graphene-based drug delivery systems for treating MRSA infections

NordForsk (105121), 2021-01-01 -- 2023-12-31.

Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)

Materials Chemistry

DOI

10.1002/advs.202505976

PubMed

40884287

More information

Latest update

12/23/2025