Removal of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals from Environment Using A Robust Platform Based on Metal–Organic Framework Nanoparticles

The development of new-type adsorbents with high absorption performance to remove endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from environment (e.g., wastewater and sediments) is highly desirable. In this study, the removal of four EDCs (estradiol, estriol, mifepristone, and ethinylestradiol) was systematically investigated by the Fe-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) platform with different functional groups (MIL-101-R). According to the calculation of adsorption kinetics of different MOFs on the four EDCs, such as adsorption rate, quasi-second-order kinetic rate constant (k2), Langmuir constant (b), and separation factor (RL), we found that the appropriate pore size and functional groups of MIL-101-R greatly influenced the adsorption effect. Notably, thanks to the hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions between MOFs and EDCs, MIL-101-NH2 nanoparticles displayed the best adsorption performance. This study provides both experimental and theoretical support for further research on removal of EDCs using MOFs.