Research progress in antibacterial application based on metal porous materials

Abstract

With the escalating issue of bacterial resistance, traditional antibiotic therapies are facing severe challenges, making the development of novel and efficient antibacterial materials a prominent research focus. Metal porous materials, owing to their unique three-dimensional interconnected pore structures, high specific surface areas, and tunable physicochemical properties, have demonstrated significant potential in the field of antibacterial applications. These materials can achieve synergistic antibacterial effects through multiple mechanisms, including the sustained release of metal ions, photothermal and photodynamic therapies (PTT and PDT), as well as contact-mediated sterilization. Such mechanisms contribute to enhanced antibacterial performance while reducing the risk of bacterial resistance. Metal porous materials are regarded as promising candidates for the next generation of efficient and safe antibacterial platforms, with broad applicability in medical and bioengineering fields. This review summarizes recent advances in the research of metal porous materials, focusing on their synthesis methods, antibacterial mechanisms, and practical applications. The synthesis strategies discussed include template methods, electrochemical deposition, solvothermal synthesis, melt foaming, and microwave sintering. In addition, current challenges such as large-scale fabrication, precise regulation of metal ion release, and biosafety concerns are critically discussed. The paper also outlines the prospects of metal porous materials in antibacterial medical applications.