Cationic Porphyrin COF Composite Film

Dual photodynamic-photothermal sterilization

A cationic porphyrin covalent organic framework uniformly dispersed in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose endows the composite film with light-driven antimicrobial activity and enhanced food preservation.

Fu, Quanbin · Sun, Xin · Haonan, Guo · Li, Yijing · Zhang, Bowen · Waterhouse, Geoffrey I. N. · Li, Houshen · Ai, Shiyun

Food Chemistry 2026

Specifications

E. coli inactivation

{'zh': '99.2', 'en': '99.2'} %

S. aureus inactivation

{'zh': '99.95', 'en': '99.95'} %

Mechanical strength increase

{'zh': '26', 'en': '26'} %

Oxygen permeability reduction

{'zh': '42', 'en': '42'} %

Water vapor permeability reduction

{'zh': '36', 'en': '36'} %

Advantages

Dual-mode sterilization

Under visible light, the film simultaneously generates reactive oxygen species and heat; the photodynamic-photothermal synergy achieves >99% inactivation against both S. aureus and E. coli, reducing the risk of resistance.

Enhanced mechanical and barrier properties

The addition of Por-ICOF increases mechanical strength by 26%, reduces oxygen permeability by 42% and water vapor permeability by 36%, thereby improving packaging physical properties alongside antimicrobial function.

Biocompatible

The composite film exhibits excellent biocompatibility, ensuring safety for food contact applications.

Extends shelf life

The film effectively extends the shelf life of strawberries, demonstrating practical feasibility in food preservation.

Applications

• Food preservation packaging：Fabricate antimicrobial packaging films to extend shelf life of processed foods.
• Postharvest fruit preservation：Wrap postharvest fruits to reduce microbial spoilage.
• Antimicrobial materials：Serve as a light-responsive antimicrobial material for bacterial inactivation.
• Photodynamic sterilization：Utilize visible-light-driven photodynamic effect without additional disinfectants.