Improving Water Quality Using Metal−Organic Frameworks
M. Shahnawaz Khan, M. Shahid
Abstract
Clean and drinkable water is the need of the hour for the development of living organisms. The removal of hazardous contaminants from the water sources should be the researchers priority to restore ecosystem balance and secure a more sustainable future. In the last few decades, the Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained much attention due to their unusual structural properties and fascinating applications. Based on their high adsorption capacity, tunable porosity, large surface area, and easily modified structure, and economically affordable, MOFs have the advantage over other traditional materials used for wastewater treatment. The running water contains mainly organic and inorganic pollutants such as metal cations, inorganic acids, oxyanions/cations, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, feed additives, agricultural products, organic dyes, and industrial waste. The proper use of metal ions and organic ligands to prepare water-stable MOFs can selectively remove organic and inorganic pollutants from wastewater. This chapter mainly focuses our attention on critically developed MOF materials as water decontaminant and making them reusable. Furthermore, we have proposed some future trends and challenges that need to be addressed to widen the range of applicability of MOFs and make substantial headway towards sustainable development for wastewater treatment.