Status and opportunities in the treatment of tetracyclines from aquatic environments by metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and MOFs-based composites

As the emerging contaminants in aquatic environments, antibiotics, especially tetracyclines (TCs), have raised concerns of researchers because of their severe ecological effects and health menace. Adsorption and photocatalysis as ideal water treatment technologies have been utilized for TCs removal. Currently, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), as promising versatile porous materials, have exhibited reliable potential perspectives in adsorptive removal or photocatalytic degradation of TCs from aqueous solutions. Their state-of-the-art characteristics, such as tunable structure, large surface area, easy functionalization, and excellent catalytic activity, have aroused tremendous attraction of scientists. This article aims to illustrate the classification of TCs and summarize the recent advances in TCs removal by MOFs and MOFs-based composites through adsorptive removal or photocatalytic degradation. The possible interactions between MOFs/MOFs-based composites and TCs are discussed to understand the mechanisms involved in the adsorptive or photocatalytic processes. Last, the outlooks on efficient removal TCs by MOFs and MOFs-based composites are presented to guide further development. • The classification of tetracylines (TCs) and their characteristics are presented. • The applications of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and MOFs-based composites for TCs removal are overviewed. • The underlying adsorption and photocatalysis mechanisms are summarized. • The vista for applying MOFs and MOFs-based composites to TCs removal is proposed.