Cellulose-metal organic frameworks: Recent advances in design, synthesis, and application

Abstract

Cellulose, as a natural polymer material, has attracted considerable attention in the field of water treatment due to its reproducibility, versatility, low cost and biodegradability. Cellulose-MOFs (CelloMOFs) are prepared by combining cellulose with metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). This combination could modulate the microstructure and macroform of composites, enhancing their properties, such as adsorption capacity, pollutant degradation, mechanical strength, and pore structure. It also broadens their application potential in water treatment. CelloMOFs have been demonstrated to possess effective adsorption capabilities to removal of a range of pollutants, including heavy metal ions, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and oil from wastewater. Additionally, CelloMOFs can also be used as an efficient catalysts and membrane materials for the degradation of organic pollutants, seawater desalination and dye separation. Furthermore, CelloMOFs can be prepared into sensors for the detection of pollutants. This review presents an overview of the synthesis methods employed in the preparation of cellulose-MOFs and their applications in water treatment. The modification of cellulose, the synthesis methods of CelloMOFs, and the applications of adsorption, catalysis, membrane separation, and sensing were discussed. Then, the problems and improvement methods of the application process are analyzed. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of cellulose-MOFs are discussed.