Multifunctional cellulose-based air filters with high loadings of metal–organic frameworks prepared by in situ growth method for gas adsorption and antibacterial applications

Environmental threats, especially particulate matter, toxic gases and microbial pollution, have done serious harm to human health. In this paper, biodegradable composite filters were fabricated by an in situ deposition method to isolate pollutants and inactivate bacteria. The zeolitic imidazolate framework-8@cellulose fibers (ZIF-8@CF) filters had filtration efficiency as high as 98.36% and 99.94% against 0.3 μm and 0.5 μm particles, respectively, under a pressure drop of 134 Pa. Moreover, the nitrogen adsorption capacities of the composites were about 20 times higher than those of pure cellulose filters. In addition, the Ag-based metal–organic frameworks@cellulose fibers (Ag-MOFs@CF) exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) with an inhibition zone diameter of 20.8 mm. Herein, these metal–organic frameworks@cellulose fibers (MOFs@CF) composite filters with high filtration efficiency, gas adsorption and antibacterial properties could be potentially applied in alleviating air pollution and in healthcare fields.