Zirconium-Based Metal–Organic Framework Nanomaterials for Antibacterial Applications: Nanoscale Design and Structure–Function Relationships

Bacterial contamination and biofilm-associated infections require antimicrobial materials that combine effective bacterial control with tunable transport, structural stability, and acceptable safety. Zirconium-based metal–organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) are attractive platforms because their Zr-oxo clusters, pore environments, surface chemistry, and defect structures can be adjusted over multiple length scales. Rather than treating synthesis, antibacterial mechanisms, and applications as separate topics, this review organizes current evidence around a nanoscale design–structure–function framework. We examine how particle size, defect density, pore accessibility, surface chemistry, and hybridization influence bacterial contact, guest loading and release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, photothermal conversion, and biofilm-related performance. Antibacterial systems are distinguished according to the contribution of the Zr-MOF host, incorporated active species, and externally triggered processes, and mechanistic claims are considered according to the strength of the reported experimental evidence. Representative applications in wound care, antibacterial textiles, food packaging, water disinfection, and electrochemical systems are discussed together with the experimental conditions and safety constraints that limit direct cross-study comparison. Particular attention is given to the trade-offs between increased accessibility or reactivity and framework stability, leaching, and cytotoxicity. This structure–function perspective is intended to provide practical design guidance for developing more reproducible, interpretable, and application-relevant Zr-MOF antibacterial nanomaterials.