MOF-based strategies for bisphenol A remediation in water: from adsorption to photocatalytic degradation

Bisphenol A (BPA), a ubiquitous endocrine-disrupting compound, poses significant ecological and health risks due to its widespread use in plastics and continuous release into aquatic environments. Conventional removal techniques often face limitations in efficiency, cost, and sustainability. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising advanced materials for BPA remediation, owing to their tunable porosity, high surface area, and multifunctional properties. This review comprehensively examines the recent advances in MOF-based materials for the removal of BPA through adsorption and photocatalytic degradation. We systematically categorize MOFs based on their metal centers (e.g., Zr, Fe, Al, Cr, Cu, Zn) and structural modifications, including functionalization and composite formation. The effects of key operational parameters—such as pH, temperature, adsorbent/photocatalyst dosage, and coexisting ions—on removal performance are critically analyzed. Furthermore, adsorption isotherms, kinetics, thermodynamics, and photocatalytic mechanisms are discussed in detail, with emphasis on the roles of π–π interactions, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic effects, and reactive oxygen species generation. The review also addresses the challenges related to MOF stability, reusability, and practical application. Finally, future research directions are outlined, focusing on the design of robust, scalable, and multifunctional MOF-based systems for real-world water treatment.