Synergistic antimicrobial activities of peroxymonosulfate with Ce-FcDC as an activator

Ce-MOFs with ferrocenedicarboxylic acid ligands (Ce-FcDC) as a bifunctional nanozyme exhibited high peroxidase (POD)-mimicking activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-mimicking activity. H 2 O 2 was produced from catalytic hydrolysis of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) using Ce-FcDC as a catalyst. The growth of E. coli and S. aureus were synergistically and more effectively suppressed by PMS in the presence of Ce-FcDC, in comparison with the sole use of PMS or Ce-FcDc. Under the catalysis of Ce-FcDC as the POD-mimicking nanozyme, PMS could be activated by Ce-FcDC to produce SO 4 •− and •OH and H 2 O 2 from the hydrolysis of PMS was further derivatized to O 2 •− and •OH. Ce-FcDC as the SOD-mimicking nanozyme causes O 2 •−  to form H 2 O 2 . The generation of O 2 •− and •OH were confirmed using p-benzoquinone and isopropanol alcohol as the scavengers. The resulted SO 4 •− , O 2 •− , and •OH from combination of PMS with Ce-FcDC as an activator may have key roles for suppressing the growth of E. coli and S. aureus . This strategy could be an effective approach for suppressing the growth and preventing infections or pollutions of some other microbial cells as well. Graphical abstract