Solvothermal fabrication and characterisation of TiO2/Cu-integrated NH2-MIL-125 metal-organic-frameworks

Abstract

Life requires access to purified water. Several water disinfection agents, including nanoparticles, have been invented. However, their tendency to agglomerate limits their dispersion and practical application. In this current work, NH 2 -MIL-125 and TiO 2 /Cu@NH 2 -MIL-125 nanocomposites were synthesised using the solvothermal method. TEM images of pristine NH 2 -MIL-125 and TiO 2 /Cu@NH 2 -MIL-125 nanocomposites revealed disk-like particles and an increase in NH 2 -MIL-125 content after the addition of TiO 2 /Cu. At the same time, Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the effective composite formation. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the crystalline structure of NH 2 -MIL-125 remained intact after TiO 2 /Cu incorporation. The TiO 2 /Cu were evenly distributed within the NH 2 -MIL-125 framework. The Alamar blue assay was used to determine the antibacterial efficacy of the pristine NH 2 -MIL-125 and TiO 2 /Cu@NH 2 -MIL-125 nanocomposites. The results revealed that the material was effective against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The antibacterial activity of TiO 2 /Cu@NH 2 -MIL-125 nanocomposites against 12 bacterial strains, exhibiting a smaller MIC value of 15.6 μg/mL for S. aureus, P. mirabilis and E. cloacae due to susceptibility to positively charged Cu 2+ ions , thus rendering the composite potentially suitable for environmental remediation. • TiO 2 /Cu@NH 2 -MIL-125 composites were synthesised with a simple solvothermal method. • The introduction of TiO 2 /Cu on NH 2 -MIL-125 did not alter the structure of the MOF. • NH 2 -MIL-125 acted as a stabilising framework to prevent nanoparticle agglomeration. • Interestingly, antibacterial activity was exhibited against various bacterial strains.