Chapter 5 - Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as a catalyst for advanced oxidation processes—Micropollutant removal

Abstract

Water is an indispensable requirement of humankind. Compared to other necessities, water is scarce, and it is contaminated to a higher level. The primary pollutant of the water bodies is the organic compounds. One of the best methods to treat water is the advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). The hydroxyl (OH⁻) radicals—the ultimate oxidant-degrade organic pollutants into harmless inorganic products. The AOP is adopted in both pretreatment and posttreatment of recalcitrant before discharging into the water bodies directly. To enhance the efficacy of the AOPs, the metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are used. MOFs assist in the Fenton reaction, Sulfate radical–assisted oxidation (SR-AOP), ozonation, adsorption of inorganics, and photocatalysis as they are light absorbents. Incorporation of these MOFs into the actual AOPs helps in gaining higher positive results. The specialty of this kind is chemical tunability—tuned to obtain desired results, nonspecificity, and pH adaptability makes it an efficient heterogeneous catalyst. One of the most important MOFs classes includes the Fe-based metal-organic framework (Fe-MOF) because they are environmentally friendly. The reactivity and mechanism of radical formations are to be studied yet. Recent innovations like MOF as adsorbent and membranes with novel synthesized structures find new applications in various intriguing fields. The industrial application of MOFs towards water regeneration and water treatment covers—pesticides removal from drinking water, organic solvents and other wastes from industrial wastewater, reduction in COD from industrial water. Our views emphasize the futuristic development and application of MOFs in water treatment by AOP.