Towards Solving the PFAS Problem: The Potential Role of Metal‐Organic Frameworks

Abstract

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of recalcitrant molecules that have been used since the 1940s in a variety of applications. They are now linked to a host of negative health outcomes and are extremely resistant to degradation under environmental conditions. Currently, membrane technologies or adsorbents are used to remediate contaminated water. These techniques are either inefficient at capturing smaller PFAS molecules, have high energy demands, or result in concentrated waste that must be incinerated at high temperatures. This Review focuses on what role metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) may play in addressing the PFAS problem. Specifically, how the unique properties of MOFs such as their well‐defined pore sizes, ultra‐high internal surface area, and tunable surface chemistry may be a sustainable solution for PFAS contamination.

A Porphyrinic Metal‐Organic Framework with Cooperative Adsorption Domains for PFAS Removal from Water

“…Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), as a class of potentially porous and largely crystalline materials composed of metal clusters and organic ligands, have been widely used for the capture of various toxic substances from the environment. [19][20][21] The tunable pore sizes, task-specific adsorption domains and high surface areas of MOFs make them suitable for selective removal of PFAS. [22] Some typical MOFs, such as metal azolate frameworks [23] or zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, [24] and those named after Materials of Institut Lavoisier (MILs), [25] Northwest University (NU), [26] and University of Oslo (UiO), [27] have been demonstrated to be effective adsorbents for PFAS removal in water.…”

“…Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), as a class of potentially porous and largely crystalline materials composed of metal clusters and organic ligands, have been widely used for the capture of various toxic substances from the environment [19–21] . The tunable pore sizes, task‐specific adsorption domains and high surface areas of MOFs make them suitable for selective removal of PFAS [22] .…”

In situ investigation of detoxification and metabolic effects of polyfluoroalkyl substances on metal–organic frameworks combined with cell-cultured microfluidics

“…The adverse effects of residual PFASs still exist after their adsorption on MOFs because of imperfect detoxification, and are diverse; 10 however, this topic has been neglected and most research studies have focused on MOF adsorption efficiency. 11 The toxicity of PFASs varies widely based on their perfluoroalkyl chain, functional groups, and the species, sex and animal models that are exposed to the pollutants. 12 For example, humans may be less susceptible to the hepatic effects of PFASs than rats at the same serum concentration.…”

An Overview on Recent Advances in Biomimetic Sensors for the Detection of Perfluoroalkyl Substances

“…MOFs are potential candidates for selective chemical sensing with low detection limits owing to their extremely high surface area, variability of metal nodes, and modifiable organic linkers to provide adjustable binding sites [ 61 , 62 ]. By choosing different metal clusters for the organic linkers to coordinate around, surface characteristics and pore sizes can be adjusted [ 63 ]. Due to their stability, they can be used repeatedly to detect specific analytes [ 64 ].…”