Review, recent advancements in zeolitic imidazole frameworks-67 (ZIF-67) and its derivatives for the adsorption of antibiotics

Water contamination has been one of the major issues worldwide. The excessive use of antibiotics not only contaminates the aquatic system but also poses a significant threat to human health. The persistent existence of antibiotics in aquatic systems accelerates the development of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, causing risks to both human health and the biodiversity of flora and fauna. The efficient removal of these pollutants is a serious issue in water purification. Efforts to capture antibiotics through advanced filtration techniques by using efficient material, low-cost, and stable adsorbents are demanded to protect public health and the environment. In recent years, zeolitic imidazole framework-67 (ZIF-67) a subclass of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) gained huge attention as an adsorbent that possessed both MOFs and ZIFs structure characteristics. The ZIF-67 contains a highly controllable porous structure with a larger specific surface area, stable morphology, and exposed active sites. This review article covers cutting-edge synthesis methods of ZIF-67 and its derivatives for the adsorption removal of antibiotics from polluted water. Furthermore, their structural modification for enhanced removal of complex antibiotics and adsorption mechanism are explored, emphasizing that specific surface area pores size, and chemical functionalities play the dominant role in the adsorption process. The challenges of recyclability and prospects for industrial application are critically reviewed. The findings indicate that tailored ZIF-67 and its derivatives demonstrated enhanced adsorption against antibiotics suggesting that further research is required to scale up this technology.