Advancing Arsenic Water Treatment Using UiO-66 and Its Functionalized Metal-Organic Framework Analogs.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Chemistry

Background:

• Arsenic contamination in water is a major global health issue, leading to severe diseases.
• Adsorption using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) presents a sustainable remediation strategy.
• Zirconium-based UiO-66 MOFs are effective due to their high surface area and stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate UiO-66 and its derivatives for arsenic removal from water.
• To explore factors influencing adsorption efficiency and material reusability.
• To identify challenges and future directions for UiO-66 in water treatment.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of UiO-66 variants (functionalized, doped, composite).
• Arsenic adsorption experiments under varying pH and salinity.
• Regeneration efficiency and metal leaching tests.

Main Results:

• UiO-66 derivatives achieved arsenic adsorption capacities of 20-150 mg g^-1.
• Optimal adsorption occurred at pH 4-8; high salinity reduced performance.
• Materials showed high regeneration efficiency (70-95%) with minimal leaching.

Conclusions:

• UiO-66 materials are highly promising for sustainable arsenic remediation.
• Ligand functionalization and composite integration enhance performance.
• Further research needed for green synthesis and scalability.