Metal–Organic Framework (MOF)-Based Photocatalysts for Pharmaceutical Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Metal—organic frameworks (MOFs) with highly crystalline porous structures have gained immense importance in the last two decades owing to their application in various fields, including energy storage and conversion, gas storage, drug delivery, and catalysis. Extensive research has been carried out to extend the application of MOFs in other areas of interest. For instance, the rapidly evolving water pollution is one such field that requires immediate concern. Although much research was carried out to treat polluted water bodies, it is either inadequate or ineffective for treating pharmaceutical wastewater. Among the various techniques reported so far, photocatalysis has proven to be effective in the treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater. However, conventional photocatalysts are limited for large-scale applications due to limited light-harvesting ability and reusability. MOFs with high porosity and tuneable properties serve as excellent alternatives to conventional photocatalysts. The appropriate selection of a metal with redox properties and a light-harvesting ligand can make MOFs potent photocatalysts for the degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants. Thus, this chapter provides a key technical insight into various synthesis methods and modifications carried out in the structure of MOFs for the efficient treatment of pharmaceutical pollutants. This chapter also discusses in detail the possible degradation pathway for pollutant removal by photocatalysis. The last section describes the various challenges the scientific community must address to extend MOF applications towards real-time environmental remediation.