Recent Advancement in 2D Metal–Organic Framework for Environmental Remediation: A Review

In a time characterized by the increasing interest in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as widely researched crystalline porous substances geared toward enhancing device and system capabilities across diverse environmental contexts, 2D MOFs emerge as a noteworthy class of nanomaterials that integrate the benefits of 2D structures with the unique characteristics inherent to MOFs. These 2D MOFs possess ultrathin nanosheet configuration, abundant accessible active sites, and remarkable mechanical flexibility. Such distinctive properties differentiate them from bulk MOFs and other 2D materials, offering the potential to instigate novel environmental phenomena and applications. This review focuses on the latest progress in the application of 2D MOFs within essential water-related ecological fields, including contaminant adsorption, photocatalytic degradation, membrane separation, environmental sensing, and disinfection. A variety of synthesis approaches for 2D MOFs are analyzed, accompanied by a discussion on their effectiveness across different environmental settings. The unique structure and features of 2D MOFs that grant outstanding environmental functionalities are compared with those of bulk MOFs. The environmental ramifications of 2D MOFs are highlighted while outlining future research needs to explore the environmental applications of these innovative materials.