Organic pollutants removal from aqueous solutions using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as adsorbents: A review

With rapid population growth and increased water pollution, the global water situation is deteriorating. Due to this risk, it is now crucial to efficiently remove organic contaminants from water. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), due to their unique qualities including adjustable porosity, large pore volume, and excellent adsorption and regeneration properties have recently gained significant scientific interest in the field of water treatment. The knowledge mapping, classification, synthesis, and design of MOFs are described in this review of the literature in order to clarify the advancement of MOFs in the removal of organic contaminants from aqueous solutions. To generate fresh concepts for the use of MOFs in the treatment of organic pollutants, the mechanism of adsorption of organic pollutants in MOFs is described, the application trends of MOFs for the treatment of organic pollutants are reviewed, and the bottleneck issues and application prospects of MOFs are compiled. [Display omitted] •Metal-organic frameworks efficiently remove organic pollutants from aqueous solutions.•Using Cite Space, a knowledge map of the literature on MOFs from 2012 to 2022 was visualized.•Discussed are MOFs synthesis and design routes that use less energy and solvent.•The mechanism of organic pollutant adsorption in MOFs is reviewed.•Challenges and future prospects of MOF briefly discussed.