Effect of Metal Atom in Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIF-8 & 67) for Removal of Dyes and Antibiotics from Wastewater: A Review

The use of antibiotics and dyes has resulted in severe water pollution and health risks; therefore, it is urgent to remove them from water sources. Among the most common methods for removing harmful water contaminants, adsorption and photodegradation are the most economical, simple, and reusable. Due to their high porosity, adjustability, and crystal structure, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are one of the effective adsorbents and photocatalysts. A typical MOF material is zeolitic imidazolate framework-8/67 (ZIF-8 and ZIF-67), comprising essentially of the metal atoms Zn and 2-methylimidazole (2-MIM). ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 have unique properties that make them efficient in water treatment due to high adsorption capacities and being good hosts for photocatalytic materials. In this article, a review study of the design and methods of synthesis of ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 composites is presented. An introduction to the current research on the role of ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 compounds as adsorbents and photocatalysts for wastewater pollution removal is provided. In this review study, we aim to supply a mechanistic perspective on the use of ZIF-8/67 composites in wastewater purification and present novel visions for the development of extremely effective ZIF-8/67-based adsorbents and photocatalysts. To unlock the full potential of ZIF-8/67 composites in dye and antibiotic removal and water recycling, current difficulties will be discussed in detail.