From laboratory to application: A multi-dimensional review of MOF-based heavy metal adsorption

Heavy metal contamination in water bodies poses a persistent threat to aquatic ecosystems and public health. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising adsorbents due to their exceptional surface areas, tunable pore structures, and chemically versatile frameworks. However, despite extensive laboratory-scale success, the practical deployment of MOFs for heavy metal removal remains limited. This review argues that progress requires moving beyond isolated material optimization toward a system-level assessment. We evaluate MOF-based heavy metal adsorption through five interdependent dimensions that collectively determine real-world viability: water stability, selectivity in multi-ion matrices, regenerability over multiple cycles, scalability from gram to kilogram production, and real-water validation under authentic wastewater conditions. A critical observation is that while most studies report the number of cycles, very few investigate the root causes of performance decline during regeneration. We also highlight the gap between idealized laboratory conditions and complex real wastewater, where competing cations, natural organic matter, and suspended solids can severely compromise performance. Building on recent advances in adaptive MOFs, closed-loop resource recovery, and AI-driven material design, we propose a n integrated framework uniting responsive materials, smart regeneration, and process engineering. This review offers a practical roadmap for transitioning MOF-based heavy metal remediation from laboratory promise to deployable technology, emphasizing that progress depends on system integration rather than incremental material refinement.