Advances in Metal-Organic Frameworks for Trace Element Detection in Water, Soil, and Food Systems

Environmental pollution caused by hazardous trace metals, such as arsenic, mercury, uranium, and iron, presents significant risks to both human health and ecosystems, underscoring the need for advanced detection technologies. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), known for their high surface area, tunable porosity, and selective metal-binding properties, have emerged as promising candidates for detecting these hazardous metals in environmental matrices. This review explores the potential of MOFs in trace metal detection and their applications in monitoring pollutants in water, soil, and food. The review covers recent advancements in MOF-based sensors, focusing on their ability to provide rapid, sensitive, and selective detection methods, which are crucial for public health protection and industrial safety. Furthermore, it highlights the role of MOFs in addressing environmental concerns related to heavy metal contamination. The manuscript also examines key challenges faced by MOF-based sensing technologies, including issues of stability, scalability, and cost-efficiency, and proposes future research directions to overcome these barriers. By exploring the current state of research and identifying emerging opportunities, this review emphasizes the transformative potential of MOFs in environmental monitoring and hazardous material management. MOF-based technologies offer sustainable solutions for the detection and remediation of toxic contaminants, addressing the global challenges posed by heavy metal pollution in environmental contexts.