Advancing wastewater treatment with green and scalable metal–organic frameworks: from synthetic strategies to real-world deployment

Austine Ofondu Chinomso Iroegbu; Moipone Linda Teffo; Emmanuel Rotimi Sadiku; Reinout Meijboom; Shanganyane Percy Hlangothi

doi:10.1038/s41545-025-00514-x

Advancing wastewater treatment with green and scalable metal–organic frameworks: from synthetic strategies to real-world deployment

Austine Ofondu Chinomso Iroegbu
, Moipone Linda Teffo
, Emmanuel Rotimi Sadiku
, Reinout Meijboom
, Shanganyane Percy Hlangothi

Chemical Sciences

Tshwane University of Technology
Nelson Mandela University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

47 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The escalating global water crisis demands innovative solutions. This review highlights the transformative role of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) in wastewater treatment, integrating green, scalable synthesis (e.g., mechanochemistry, continuous-flow, supercritical fluid methods) with advanced functionalization. It covers diverse pollutants, performance in real matrices, removal mechanisms, and practical deployment platforms. Key challenges and future directions are discussed, offering a roadmap toward sustainable, industrial-scale MOF applications for water purification.

Original language	English
Article number	85
Journal	npj Clean Water
Volume	8
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00514-x
Publication status	Published - Dec 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Water Science and Technology
Waste Management and Disposal
Pollution
Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Access to Document

10.1038/s41545-025-00514-x

Cite this

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title = "Advancing wastewater treatment with green and scalable metal–organic frameworks: from synthetic strategies to real-world deployment",

abstract = "The escalating global water crisis demands innovative solutions. This review highlights the transformative role of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) in wastewater treatment, integrating green, scalable synthesis (e.g., mechanochemistry, continuous-flow, supercritical fluid methods) with advanced functionalization. It covers diverse pollutants, performance in real matrices, removal mechanisms, and practical deployment platforms. Key challenges and future directions are discussed, offering a roadmap toward sustainable, industrial-scale MOF applications for water purification.",

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T2 - from synthetic strategies to real-world deployment

AU - Iroegbu, Austine Ofondu Chinomso

AU - Teffo, Moipone Linda

AU - Sadiku, Emmanuel Rotimi

AU - Meijboom, Reinout

AU - Hlangothi, Shanganyane Percy

PY - 2025/12

Y1 - 2025/12

N2 - The escalating global water crisis demands innovative solutions. This review highlights the transformative role of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) in wastewater treatment, integrating green, scalable synthesis (e.g., mechanochemistry, continuous-flow, supercritical fluid methods) with advanced functionalization. It covers diverse pollutants, performance in real matrices, removal mechanisms, and practical deployment platforms. Key challenges and future directions are discussed, offering a roadmap toward sustainable, industrial-scale MOF applications for water purification.

AB - The escalating global water crisis demands innovative solutions. This review highlights the transformative role of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) in wastewater treatment, integrating green, scalable synthesis (e.g., mechanochemistry, continuous-flow, supercritical fluid methods) with advanced functionalization. It covers diverse pollutants, performance in real matrices, removal mechanisms, and practical deployment platforms. Key challenges and future directions are discussed, offering a roadmap toward sustainable, industrial-scale MOF applications for water purification.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105014934839

U2 - 10.1038/s41545-025-00514-x

DO - 10.1038/s41545-025-00514-x

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:105014934839

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ER -

Advancing wastewater treatment with green and scalable metal–organic frameworks: from synthetic strategies to real-world deployment

Abstract

UN SDGs

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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