Metal-Organic Framework Technologies for Water Remediation: Towards a Sustainable Ecosystem

Having access to clean water is a mandatory requirement for the proper development of living beings. So, addressing the removal of contaminants from aquatic systems should be a priority research topic in order to re-establish ecosystem balance and secure a more sustainable future. The fascinating structures and striking physical properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have revealed them as excellent platforms for the removal of harmful species from water. In this review, we have focussed our attention on critically highlight the last developments achieved on the adsorptive removal of inorganic – metal cations, inorganic acids, oxyanions/cations, nuclear wastes and other inorganic anions – and organic – pharmaceutical and personal care products, artificial sweeteners and feed additives, agricultural products, organic dyes and industrial products – contaminants commonly found in wastewaters using MOFs technologies. In particular, we have attempted to give a clear insight on the different synthetic strategies for water remediation, stressing the wide tuneability of MOFs. For that purpose, we have classified these two kinds of pollutants in different subfamilies, based on its chemical composition or common use. Finally, we have proposed some future trends and challenges that need to be addressed for widening the range of applicability of MOFs and make a solid headway towards a sustainable development.