Removal of metals from water using MOF-based composite adsorbents

Abstract

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)-based composites have attracted significant research interest, especially in the removal of metal ion pollutants from water. MOFs are regarded as excellent metal ion adsorbents due to their large surface area, tuneable pores, and abundance of active sites. MOF composites, in which MOFs are combined with a variety of materials such as magnetic particles, various polymers, and graphene oxide, have been developed to enhance the metal adsorption capacity of MOFs. This article provides an overview of the current MOF-based composites used as superior sorbents. In addition, their synthesis techniques, applications, and performance are discussed and compared with those of pure MOFs and other adsorbents.