Tailoring growth of MOF199 on hierarchical surface of bamboo and its antibacterial property

Bamboo, as a fast-grown forest resource, can be functionalized by metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with various potential applications. However, the stability of MOFs immobilized on bamboo surface remains to be improved. In this work, MOF199, as known as HKUST-1, was in situ anchoring on moso bamboo via regulating pretreatment of bamboo and a green two-step synthesis route. The two-step synthesis route was completed under room temperature and both precursor solutions can be reused. The results indicated that, with the collaboration of delignification and carboxymethylation pretreatment of bamboo, a dense and well-dispersed MOF coating was successfully synthesized, the adhesion between MOF199 and bamboo surface was also improved. Besides, the quantity and size of MOF199 on bamboo can be tailored by tunning the carboxyl groups of pretreated bamboo and the concentration of copper nitrate solution. More importantly, results show that the formation of carboxyl-copper (II) complex served as nucleation sites for the growth of MOF199 crystals, which was essential to prepare uniform MOF layers. The growth of MOF199 endowed bamboo with good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. This method provides a facile and practical strategy for designing MOF coated woody materials.