Engineered Threonine-Zn-MOF/Agar Hybrid Aerogel for Dual-Functional Removal of Toxic Oxyanions via Adsorption–Photocatalysis Synergy

In this study, a Zn-based MOF was synthesized via a solvothermal method, and a series of AG/Zn-MOF-X composite aerogels were subsequently engineered through the controlled incorporation of agar. Comprehensive evaluation revealed that the AG/Zn-MOF-0.8 composite achieved remarkable removal efficiencies of 65, 61, and 100% for Cr2O72–, CrO42–, and MnO4–, respectively, outperforming pristine Zn-MOF by 14, 3, and 1%. An analysis of the kinetics and isotherms provided insights into the adsorption mechanisms. Notably, under photocatalytic conditions, the composite exhibited superior degradation with removal rates of 79, 86, and 100% for the respective oxyanions. These findings highlight that tailored MOF modifications can significantly boost both adsorption and photocatalytic performance, offering new possibilities for advanced water purification technologies.