Silver-loaded porous crystalline frameworks materials: A synergistic strategy for advanced antibacterial applications

Abstract

Bacterial infections pose a significant global public health challenge, highlighting the urgent need for efficient, targeted antibacterial agents, especially against drug-resistant bacteria. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have recently gained significant attention for their strong antibacterial properties. However, their use as standalone antimicrobial agents is constrained by challenges such as AgNPs aggregation, which diminishes activity, and the uncontrolled release of Ag⁺, which poses toxicity risks. Porous crystalline framework materials (PCFMs) offer an effective solution to these challenges due to their high porosity, large specific surface area, and facile functionalization. Serving as ideal carriers, they enable controlled antimicrobial release, thereby prolonging antibacterial activity. Furthermore, leveraging the intrinsic antibacterial properties of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) can generate synergistic effects, further improving antimicrobial efficacy. This review examines recent advancements in silver-loaded porous crystalline framework materials (Ag-PCFMs), with an emphasis on Ag-zeolites (Ag-Zs), silver-loaded metal–organic frameworks (Ag-MOFs), and silver-loaded covalent organic frameworks (Ag-COFs), which exhibit synergistic antibacterial properties. First, conventional and emerging synthesis methods are reviewed, followed by an in-depth analysis of how PCFM structural characteristics synergistically enhance the antibacterial activity of AgNPs in composite systems. Finally, the applications of Ag-PCFMs in food preservation, medicine, and environmental purification are assessed, highlighting their potential and outlining future research directions.