Metal-organic framework membranes with varying metal ions for enhanced water and wastewater treatment: A critical review

Metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes have extensive applications in water and wastewater treatment. Different metal ions-based MOF membranes exhibit distinct properties, with variations in their construction and performance for water pollutant removal. As the current literature lacks a systematic understanding of the utilization of various MOF membranes, we presented a comprehensive review of the recent progress in the properties and applications of hard acid (e.g., Zr-MOF, Fe-MOF, and Al-MOF) and soft acid (e.g., Zn-MOF, Cu-MOF, and Ag-MOF) metal ions-based MOF membranes in water and wastewater treatment. Distinction in application trends of various metal ion-based MOF membranes is highlighted, and specifical attention is paid to their treatment mechanism features. Finally, the potential research directions in this field are provided to expand the practical application of MOF membranes.