Metal-organic frameworks as thermocatalysts for hydrogen peroxide generation and environmental antibacterial applications
Journal
Science Advances
Journal Volume
11
Journal Issue
2
Start Page
eads4711
ISSN
2375-2548
Date Issued
2025-01-10
Author(s)
Arnab Pal
Sreerag Suresh
Arshad Khan
Li Huai Kuo
Li Tang Chi
Anindita Ganguly
Chih-Yao Kao
Manish Kumar Sharma
Tsung-Shing Andrew Wang
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive, making them useful for environmental and health applications. Traditionally, photocatalysts and piezocatalysts have been used to generate ROS, but their utilization is limited by various environmental and physical constraints. This study introduces metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as modern thermocatalysts efficiently producing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from small temperature differences. Temperature fluctuations, abundant in daily life, offer tremendous potential for practical thermocatalytic applications. As proof of concept, MOF materials coated onto carbon fiber fabric (MOF@CFF) created a thermocatalytic antibacterial filter. The study compared three different MOFs (CuBDC, MOF-303, and ZIF-8) with bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3), a known thermocatalytic material. ZIF-8 demonstrated superior H2O2 generation under low-temperature differences, achieving 96% antibacterial activity through temperature variation cycles. This work advances potential in thermoelectric applications of MOFs, enabling real-time purification and disinfection through H2O2 generation. The findings open interdisciplinary avenues for leveraging thermoelectric effects in catalysis and various technologies.
SDGs
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Type
journal article