Metal -Organic Frameworks (MOFs) in Water Purification: A Review

This review on Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) in Water Purification investigates the use of MOFs as advanced porous materials for efficient removal of pollutants from contaminated water sources. Background studies reveal that conventional purification techniques such as activated carbon and membrane filtration often suffer from low selectivity, poor regeneration, and limited adsorption efficiency. The main aim and objective of this research are to evaluate the adsorption performance, regeneration potential, and structural stability of MOFs compared to traditional adsorbents for sustainable water treatment. The significance of the study lies in demonstrating MOFs’ potential to overcome limitations of conventional systems and support the development of eco-friendly purification technologies. Literature reviews indicate that MOFs, due to their tunable pore size, large surface area, and chemical versatility, have been widely explored for capturing heavy metals, dyes, and organic contaminants from water. The methodology involved synthesizing MOFs such as UiO-66, MIL-101, and ZIF-8 via the solvothermal process, followed by adsorption experiments under controlled conditions. Characterization was conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis to confirm structural integrity. Experimental results showed that MOFs achieved over 90% removal efficiency for lead, chromium, and methylene blue, significantly outperforming activated carbon adsorbents. The interpretation of results suggests that the high efficiency of MOFs is due to their abundant active sites and strong metal–ligand interactions, enhancing adsorption and recyclability. Therefore, it is recommended that future research focus on large-scale production, cost reduction, and environmental stability of MOFs for practical applications in sustainable water purification systems.