Donor–acceptor type COFs with multiple fluorine groups as electron storage units to promote antimicrobial performance

The novel donor–acceptor (D–A) type covalent organic frameworks TATF-COF and TATP-COF, with multiple fluorine groups as electron storage units, were successfully constructed to achieve efficient charge transfer and photocatalytic activity for antibacterial photocatalytic therapy. Fluorine, the most electronegative element, was utilized as an electron-withdrawing substituent for the acceptor, which could unite the donor unit together and efficiently improve the charge transfer from the donor to acceptor. The unique D–A structures of TATF-COF and TATP-COF ensure that they have narrow band gaps, strong photocurrent responses, long fluorescence lifetimes, and good capacity to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) to realize good antibacterial activity. Meanwhile, the inclusion of multiple hydrophilic fluorine groups means that TATF-COF and TATP-COF are highly water dispersible, which is also beneficial in terms of promoting the generation of adequate quantities of ROS. Hence, in view of their excellent photoelectric properties and good water dispersibility, further investigations were performed, and excellent antibacterial activities in vitro against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria were demonstrated for TATF-COF and TATP-COF. In addition, we also showed that they can function as effective antibacterial dental materials. [Display omitted] •Firstly, multiple fluorine groups as electronic containers in D–A type COFs.•The work will offer a new acceptor unit to expand the species of D-A type COFs.•Multiple fluorine groups increase photocatalytic activity of TFTA-COF and TFTP-COF.•TFTA-COF and TFTP-COF show excellent antibacterial activities.