Environmental applications of nanocellulose scaffolded metal organic frameworks (MOFs@NC)

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained tremendous attention due to large surface area, porous structure, high chemical and thermal stability. Unfortunately, susceptible to agglomeration, poor recyclability and fixed porous size severely limit their performance and corresponding applications. Derived from earth’s most abundant polymeric biomass, nanocelluloses (NC) not only provides green and biocompatible supporting matrix to prevent agglomeration, but also offers mechanical stability, large accessible porosity and malleable properties for MOFs, synergistically resulting in wide applications of MOFs@NC composite especially in the field of environmental remediation. Herein, this paper mainly reviews 1) synthesis and physiochemical properties of MOFs@NC; 2) removal applications of heavy metals, organic pollutants and particulate matters together with gas separation and 3) adsorption, degradation and separation mechanisms of MOFs@NC through decontamination processes. Finally, potential opportunities for future research of MOFs@NC are proposed.