A Nano-BODIPY Encapsulated Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework As Photoresponsive Integrating Antibacterial Agent

Drug-resistant bacteria challenge the antimicrobial agents and antibacterial strategy. To develop environmental friendly smart technology for treating pathogens, we report a kind of photoactivated nano-BODIPY (BCNBA@ ZIF). First BODIPY compound (BC) was synthesized by coupling phenethyl caffeate (CAPE) with brominated BODIPY through B-O bonds. Next, BC was encapsulated in ZIF-8 together with 2-nitrobenzaldehyde (o-NBA) to form photoactivated BCNBA@ZIF nanoparticles. TEM confirm the structural change of BCNBA@ZIF after illumination. BCNBA@ZIF is less toxic to cells without illumination. Under illumination of blue LED light, the BCNBA@ZIF worked as a photoacid generator initiating the damage of ZIF shell with the release of BC, metal ions, and the production of singlet oxygen for achieving multifunctional antibacterial uses. Therefore, BCNBA@ZIF is a kind of photodriven smart "Domino" agent for bacterial inhibition.