Recent Advances in Functional and Modified Sponge Materials for Antimicrobial Applications

Abstract

Microbial contamination remains a persistent challenge across healthcare, environmental, and food production sectors, contributing to delayed wound healing, increased healthcare costs, and the spread of water- and foodborne diseases. The growing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance further highlights the need for alternative strategies to effectively control pathogenic microorganisms. Antimicrobial sponges have emerged as promising platforms because of their high porosity, large surface area, and ability to incorporate a wide range of antimicrobial agents. These materials can be constructed from natural and synthetic polymers as well as hybrid matrices, enabling the integration of disinfectants, essential oils, metal-based agents, and other bioactive compounds to enhance antimicrobial performance. This Review summarizes recent advances in the design and development of antimicrobial sponge materials, with particular emphasis on how material composition and antimicrobial strategies influence performance across different applications. Applications across biomedical, dental, environmental, and food-related fields are discussed to highlight the versatility of the sponge-based antimicrobial platforms. Finally, current challenges and future directions aimed at improving the performance, functionality, and translational potential are outlined.