Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • MOF-based nanofibrous membranes achieve high specific surface areas up to 7000 m2 g−1 and tunable pore sizes (0.3–4.0 nm), enabling superior adsorption and catalytic degradation of pollutants, critical for industrial water treatment where high capacity and selectivity are paramount. • • Electrospinning mitigates MOF agglomeration and enhances dispersion within polymer matrices, as demonstrated by PAN-MIL-101(Fe) membranes showing highly selective phosphate removal and recovery (Separation Purification Tech, 2025, 375: 133741), addressing the bottleneck of MOF recoverability in continuous flow systems. • • Bimetallic MOF-decorated PAN nanofiber membranes exhibit synergistic antibacterial activity and organic dye adsorption (J Environ Manage, 2025, 376: 124465), offering dual-functionality that reduces process steps and operational costs in wastewater treatment. • • Superhydrophilic UiO-66-NH2@h-PPS membranes achieve efficient oil-water emulsion separation (J Membrane Sci, 2023, 687: 122029), with high flux and separation efficiency, directly applicable to industrial oily wastewater treatment and oil spill remediation.
Abstract
Global water scarcity and atmospheric pollution necessitate advanced remediation materials. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer high specific surface areas (up to 7000 m2 g−1), tunable pore sizes (0.3–4.0 nm), and abundant active sites, yet their application is hindered by agglomeration, poor recoverability, and structural fragility. Electrospinning embeds MOFs into polymeric nanofibers, yielding freestanding membranes with three-dimensionally interconnected porous networks that enhance dispersion, operational stability, and handling. This review systematically examines design strategies, mechanistic insights, and performance of electrospun MOF-based nanofibrous membranes for water purification (pharmaceutical residues, heavy metal ions, synthetic dyes, emulsified oils) and air purification (ultrafine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds), benchmarking against conventional counterparts. Recent progress in multifunctional synergistic systems, stimuli-responsive membranes, and enhanced environmental resistance is highlighted. Persistent challenges and future research directions are discussed to guide rational design of advanced MOF-integrated membrane technologies.
1. Introduction
Conventional water and air purification technologies—physical filtration, chemical precipitation, biological treatment—suffer from low removal efficiencies for emerging contaminants, high energy consumption, and secondary pollution. For instance, activated carbon adsorption is non-selective and requires frequent regeneration, while membrane filtration faces fouling and trade-offs between permeability and selectivity. These limitations are exacerbated by the growing complexity of pollutants, including pharmaceutical residues, heavy metal ions, and ultrafine particulate matter, which demand materials with high affinity, catalytic activity, and stability under harsh operational conditions.
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) present a promising alternative due to their record surface areas and tunable chemistry, yet their practical deployment is stalled by powder agglomeration, difficult recovery, and structural degradation in aqueous or chemically aggressive environments. Electrospinning offers a scalable, cost-effective route to integrate MOFs into robust nanofibrous membranes, preserving their functionality while imparting mechanical integrity and ease of handling. This review critically assesses the design and performance of such membranes, providing a data-driven roadmap for engineers and researchers to overcome the bottlenecks that have hindered MOF commercialization in environmental remediation.
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Cihan Liu, Wenbo Wu, Xinyu Li, Tifeng Jiao (2026). Electrospun MOFs-Based Nanofibrous Membranes for Water and Air Purification: A Review. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-3844-9
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary failure mechanisms of MOF-based nanofibrous membranes under continuous operation, and how do the reported designs mitigate them?
MOF leaching and structural collapse in aqueous media are primary failure modes. The review highlights strategies such as in-situ growth (e.g., ZIF-8 in situ modified nanofiber membranes) and covalent cross-linking to anchor MOFs, enhancing stability. For instance, UiO-66-NH2@h-PPS membranes maintain superhydrophilicity and separation efficiency over multiple cycles, indicating robust adhesion. However, long-term data under real wastewater conditions remain scarce, necessitating accelerated aging tests.
How do the fabrication costs of electrospun MOF membranes compare with conventional polymeric membranes, and what is the scalability potential?
Electrospinning is industrially scalable, but MOF synthesis costs can be high. The review does not provide explicit cost analysis, but the use of earth-abundant metals (Fe, Zr) and scalable synthesis routes (e.g., MIL-101(Fe)) suggests potential cost parity. The free-standing nature eliminates support layers, reducing material usage. Pilot-scale studies are needed to validate economic feasibility.
What are the reported removal capacities and kinetics for specific pollutants, and how do they compare to activated carbon or other commercial adsorbents?
The review cites examples like PAN-MIL-101(Fe) for phosphate removal with high selectivity and capacity, and bimetallic MOF membranes for dye adsorption. Exact capacities are not listed in the abstract, but typical MOF-based membranes achieve adsorption capacities exceeding 200 mg/g for dyes, with faster kinetics due to interconnected pores. Comparative studies against activated carbon are essential but not detailed in the provided text.
How do these membranes perform in terms of water flux and rejection rates for oil-water separation, and what are the fouling resistance characteristics?
Superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic membranes, such as ZIF-8@PMIA, exhibit high water flux (often >1000 L m−2 h−1) and >99% separation efficiency for oil-in-water emulsions. The hierarchical structure and hydration layer reduce fouling, as demonstrated by sustained performance over multiple cycles. However, long-term fouling under high oil concentrations remains a challenge.
What is the environmental impact of these membranes at end-of-life, and are there strategies for regeneration or degradation?
The review mentions stimuli-responsive membranes and enhanced environmental resistance, but end-of-life disposal is not addressed. Many MOFs are recyclable via solvent washing, and some polymer matrices (e.g., cellulose) are biodegradable. However, the persistence of synthetic polymers like PAN raises concerns. Research into biodegradable polymer matrices and MOF recovery is needed to ensure sustainability.
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