Flexible fiber composite functional materials based on Fe-MOFs nanozyme catalytic activity for efficient point-of-use water disinfection

Ensuring clean water sources is crucial for human health and safety. However, in underdeveloped areas and emergency situations, low-energy, convenient water disinfection technologies remain a significant challenge. Herein, a series of Fe-MIL-101@flexible fiber composites were designed and synthesized by in-situ cross-linking growth of Fe-MIL-101 metal–organic framework nanozymes on carboxymethyl cellulose (filter paper, cotton, gauze), as a class of point-of-use (POU) water disinfection modules with antibacterial efficacy, portability and biosecurity. The results show that the preparation method of water disinfection material is universal, and the most convenient Fe-MIL-101@composite carboxymethyl filter paper (Fe-MIL-101@CMFP) is outstanding. The combination of Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme with carboxymethyl filter paper (CMFP) is highly stable, even after 200 mechanical or manual frictions, the MOF particles does not fall off, and its flexibility, mechanical properties and filtration efficiency remain unchanged. Furthermore, Fe-MIL-101@CMFP exhibits remarkable simulated activity of peroxidase and oxidase, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS, •OH and O2•-), which effectively eliminate bacteria. Notably, Fe-MIL-101@CMFP filters have excellent bactericidal capability (about 99%), are equally effective on field water, and have no biosafety concerns. Such Fe-MIL-101@flexible fiber composite material, as a portable POU water disinfection and sterilization functional modules, is expected to solve the problem of distributed water disinfection as well as change the way of obtaining safe drinking water in underdeveloped areas and emergency situations.