Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of silver-loaded ZIF-8 and ZIF-67: One-pot and chemical deposition methods

Nowadays, there is an urgent need to develop antibacterial materials that are both highly efficient and have low toxicity to address the ever-growing problem of bacterial contamination. Doping metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with active agents is highly desirable, as it can enhance antibacterial efficacy compared to the parent framework. Efficient and straightforward methods such as one-pot synthesis and chemical deposition have been employed for fabricating silver-loaded ZIF-8 and ZIF-67. The physicochemical properties of the Ag loaded ZIFs were characterized using various techniques, including XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, and N2 sorption isotherms. Results from XRD of the Ag-loaded ZIF samples revealed no significant changes of the crystal structure of silver because of the low Ag content. FT-IR spectra revealed characteristic functional groups of ZIF-8 and ZIF-67, regardless of silver incorporation. N2 sorption isotherms indicated microporous structures for all samples, with Ag loaded ZIF-67 exhibiting reduced surface area due to silver blockage compared to bare ZIF-67. SEM and TEM analysis showed uniform crystalline structures, with smaller particle sizes for Ag loaded ZIFs synthesized through both methods compared to parent ZIFs. Antibacterial tests demonstrated the efficacy of ZIF-8, ZIF-67, and synthesized Ag-loaded ZIFs samples against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and B. subtilis. ZIF-67 and Ag-loaded ZIF67 inhibited a wider range of bacteria. Overall, this study provides insights into the synthesis and characterization of ZIF-based materials for potential antibacterial applications.