Polymeric Membranes Containing Iodine-Loaded UiO-66 Nanoparticles as Water-Responsive Antibacterial and Antiviral Surfaces

The fight against pathogenic bacteria and viruses represents a challenging task requiring the development of innovative materials. The design of water-responsive disinfecting surfaces constitutes a pertinent endeavor to limit the spread of infectious pathogens that strive in wet environments and are often carried by the droplets or aerosols of biological fluids. In this context, we designed a polymeric nanostructured membrane which, when in contact with water, was able to release elemental iodine, a potent antimicrobial agent. The membrane was based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) electrospun nanofibers containing nanoparticles of an archetypal metal–organic framework (MOF), UiO-66. The gas adsorption capacity of the MOF container was preserved upon incorporation into the polymeric nanofibers, which also exerted a protective effect against the fast structural collapse of UiO-66 in phosphate-buffered saline, a model for biological fluids. The membrane loaded high amounts of iodine via gas diffusion and its release was (mostly) triggered by contact with the aqueous medium. The antibacterial activity of the membrane was tested against the Escherichia coli strain DH5α and revealed prompt and robust disinfecting properties. The membrane also efficiently inhibited the infectivity of viral model vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein pseudotyped HIV-1 particles in HEK-293 cells in a short time. The observed synergistic effects between the MOF container and the polymeric support material constitute attractive features for the development of MOF-based materials for biological applications.