Removal of organic pollutants from aqueous solution using metal organic frameworks (MOFs)-based adsorbents: A review

The development of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) has recently drawn a lot of scientific interest in water treatment due to the unique properties such as tunable porosities, large pore volumes, hierarchical structures, excellent adsorption and regeneration performances. MOFs represent an eco-friendly alternative to conventional adsorbents especially for the adsorptive removal of noxious organic pollutants from aqueous solution. Advanced MOFs' performances are justified by the introduction of functional groups, magnetic moieties, and specific foreign materials onto MOFs. This however leads to increase in the manufacturing costs of MOFs and consequently possess a huge challenge in large-scale applications. This review hence critically discusses the recent progresses in the development of MOFs-based adsorbents for the removal of selected organic pollutants (e.g., dyes, antibiotics and pesticides) from aqueous solution. Furthermore, major interaction mechanisms between MOFs and organic pollutants in response to numerous experimental conditions, such as pH, temperature, coexisting ions are put forward. Finally, some recommendations in support for designing MOFs with improved adsorption performances are also highlighted.