Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)
are promising as novel disinfectants
due to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in their photocatalytic
processes. The optimal MOF is screened as the best disinfectant, representing
high-efficacy production of ROS under photocatalytic conditions. However,
current methods to screen abundant MOFs for disinfectant application
are generally semiquantitative or ex situ methods [such as electron
paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements], so achieving a strategy
that can quantitatively screen an optimal MOF in situ and is reliable
is demanded. Herein, we developed a three-dimensional (3D) shell-isolated
nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) platform to study
the dynamic photocatalytic processes of various MOFs (e.g., ZIF-67,
ZIF-8, and UIO-66) in situ. This platform comprises silica shell-isolated
gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified on silicon nanowire arrays (SiNWArs).
The MOF is then self-assembled on the 3D-SHINERS substrate. Using
this platform, we recorded dynamic spectroscopic evidence of ROS formation
by various MOFs under sunlight irradiation. By dynamic comparison,
ZIF-67 has the most robust photocatalytic efficiency, ∼1.7-fold
stronger than that of ZIF-8 and ∼42.6-fold stronger than that
of UIO-66. As expected, ZIF-67 displays the best antibacterial ability,
up to 99% in the agar plate assay. This work provides a versatile
platform for dynamically monitoring photocatalytic performance and
screening antibacterial MOFs.