Au³⁺-Functionalized UiO-67 Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles: O₂^•− and •OH Generating Nanozymes and Their Antibacterial Functions

The synthesis and characterization of Au³⁺-modified UiO-67 metal-organic framework nanoparticles, Au³⁺-NMOFs, are described. The Au³⁺-NMOFs reveal dual oxidase-like and peroxidase-like activities and act as an active catalyst for the catalyzed generation of O₂^•− under aerobic conditions or •OH in the presence of H₂O₂. The two reactive oxygen species (ROS) agents O₂^•− and •OH are cooperatively formed by Au³⁺-NMOFs under aerobic conditions, and in the presence of H₂O_2. The Au³⁺-NMOFs are applied as an effective catalyst for the generation ROS agents for antibacterial and wound healing applications. Effective antibacterial cell death and inhibition of cell proliferation of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterial colonies are demonstrated in the presence of the Au³⁺-NMOFs. In addition, in vivo experiments demonstrate effective wound healing of mice wounds infected by S. aureus, treated by the Au³⁺-NMOFs.