Chemisorption of Emerging Contaminants (F−, AsIII/V, Pb2+) Using MOF for Sustainable Water Treatment: A Critical Review

Abstract

Groundwater is a major source of drinking water and ~ 2.5 billion people solely depend on groundwater daily across the globe. Emerging pollutants e.g., fluoride (F^–), arsenic (As^III/V), lead (Pb²⁺), etc. are continuously contaminating the water bodies and environment via various geogenic and anthropogenic reasons. Water scarcity and its related health hazards are alarming issues in this modern world. Consumption of fluoride containing water beyond the permissible limit causes dental/skeletal fluorosis. The metalloid arsenic causes black foot disease, and also affects the glycolytic path. Pb²⁺ affects the haemoglobin production. Adsorption is a successful and promising approach for pollutant removal as it is a low expense, easy to handle/design, and shows high removal efficiency (> 95%). Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are inorganic-organic hybrid networks that are efficient in removing these emerging pollutants from wastewater through chemisorption. The purpose of this review is to locate the sources of contaminants through proper geochemistry and removal of contaminants using MOF through chemisorption, followed by regeneration. This study aims the chemisorption process as an active approach for water treatment. This review provides a complete visual of the hazardous effects of these emerging pollutants on human with proper molecular toxicity mechanisms. It also elaborates the regeneration process along with development of water treatment process to prevent secondary pollution which will help to meet The United Nations sustainable development goal, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation.