Nanomaterials derived from metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and their applications for pollutants removal. Zhao Qu, Ran Leng, Suhua Wang, Zhuoyu Ji, Xiangke Wang. Received: 6 July 2023 / Accepted: 22 April 2024 / Published online: 17 May 2024. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024. Abstract: As a type of porous material with a periodic network structure, MOFs are constructed with metal ions or clusters and organic ligands. Due to their adjustable channel structure, abundant unsaturated metal sites, and modifiable ligands, MOFs have attracted increasing attention from both science and engineering perspectives. Although their intrinsic micropores endow them with size-selective capability and high surface area, the narrow pores limit their applications in diffusion-controlled and large-size species processes. In recent years, the construction of mixed-metal MOFs and MOF films has attracted widespread interest, extending the applications of conventional MOF-based materials. This review summarizes the advances in the design, synthesis, and functional applications of nanomaterials derived from MOF-based porous materials. Their structural characteristics for pollutant removal, including heavy metals, antibiotics, dyes, and some emerging pollutants from aqueous solutions, are demonstrated with typical reports. The existing challenges and future perspectives in this research field are also indicated. Graphical Abstract: Nanomaterials derived from MOFs for pollutants removal. Introduction: Broadly known as porous coordination polymer materials, MOFs incorporate the features of conventional polymers as well as the advantages of single-crystalline nature, playing an important role in materials chemistry and engineering. MOFs are generally constructed with organic and inorganic units, forming open crystalline frameworks with permanent porosity. As per IUPAC definition, MOF is defined as a 'coordination network with an open framework having potential voids'. Since first synthesized by Yaghi and Li (1995), MOFs have experienced explosive growth in preparation and characterization, as well as interest in many application fields over the past decades. Compared with traditional inorganic porous materials, MOFs have the characteristics of both organic and inorganic materials, as well as the advantages of diverse chemical functionalities, rich structure, large specific surface area, shape, and size designability.Nanomaterials derived from metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and their applications for pollutants removal. Zhao Qu, Ran Leng, Suhua Wang, Zhuoyu Ji, Xiangke Wang. Received: 6 July 2023 / Accepted: 22 April 2024 / Published online: 17 May 2024. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024. Abstract: As a type of porous material with a periodic network structure, MOFs are constructed with metal ions or clusters and organic ligands. Due to their adjustable channel structure, abundant unsaturated metal sites, and modifiable ligands, MOFs have attracted increasing attention from both science and engineering perspectives. Although their intrinsic micropores endow them with size-selective capability and high surface area, the narrow pores limit their applications in diffusion-controlled and large-size species processes. In recent years, the construction of mixed-metal MOFs and MOF films has attracted widespread interest, extending the applications of conventional MOF-based materials. This review summarizes the advances in the design, synthesis, and functional applications of nanomaterials derived from MOF-based porous materials. Their structural characteristics for pollutant removal, including heavy metals, antibiotics, dyes, and some emerging pollutants from aqueous solutions, are demonstrated with typical reports. The existing challenges and future perspectives in this research field are also indicated. Graphical Abstract: Nanomaterials derived from MOFs for pollutants removal. Introduction: Broadly known as porous coordination polymer materials, MOFs incorporate the features of conventional polymers as well as the advantages of single-crystalline nature, playing an important role in materials chemistry and engineering. MOFs are generally constructed with organic and inorganic units, forming open crystalline frameworks with permanent porosity. As per IUPAC definition, MOF is defined as a 'coordination network with an open framework having potential voids'. Since first synthesized by Yaghi and Li (1995), MOFs have experienced explosive growth in preparation and characterization, as well as interest in many application fields over the past decades. Compared with traditional inorganic porous materials, MOFs have the characteristics of both organic and inorganic materials, as well as the advantages of diverse chemical functionalities, rich structure, large specific surface area, shape, and size designability.