Research Progress on Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions in Water by Metal-Organic Framework Materials

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of newly developed lattice compounds that spontaneously organize from organic linkers and metal nodes. Their exceptionally high porosity and vast internal surface make them attractive candidates for tasks such as gas storage, molecular separation, and as supports for catalytically active species. This overview consolidates representative water-compatible metal-organic frameworks and charts recent strategies for tailoring their affinity toward dissolved heavy-metal contaminants. Emphasis is placed on how post-synthetic ligand functionalization and the integration of MOFs into hybrid matrices decisively amplify uptake efficiency. The preparation and modification of MOF materials for the removal of heavy metal ions in water are promising. Nevertheless, before MOFs can be widely deployed as practical sorbents for water purification, two critical bottlenecks—elevated synthesis costs and limited long-term structural robustness under aqueous conditions—must still be overcome. There is still a long way to go for the engineering application of MOF materials.