Recent advances in utilizing MOF-based materials for antibiotics: adsorption, separation, detection, and degradation

Antibiotics, indispensable therapeutic agents for combating bacterial infections, have elicited significant global concerns due to their environmental persistence and role in accelerating the spread of antibiotic resistance. The growing environmental threat posed by antibiotic contamination has driven significant research efforts toward developing advanced materials for simultaneous detection and degradation of these persistent pollutants. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), characterized by tunable structures and functionality, have emerged as highly promising platforms for antibiotic removal through adsorption and catalytic degradation. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in MOFs, MOF-based composites, and MOF-derived materials acting as nanocontainers, adsorbents, and catalysts in detecting and degrading antibiotics. Key mechanisms underpinning their performance, including hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions, and catalytic pathways, are critically analyzed. Furthermore, current limitations and future research priorities are discussed to inform and guide the rational design and development of MOF-based materials for effective environmental remediation. This comprehensive analysis provides a valuable reference for addressing environmental antibiotic contamination through the strategic development and application of MOF-based materials.