Stable Core–Shell ZIF-8@TPPa Hybrids: Synthesis and Enhanced Herbicide Removal from Water

The excessive use of herbicides in agricultural fields has emerged as a critical environmental concern. This study innovatively synthesized a ZIF-8@TPPa composite through a solvothermal method for the efficient removal of herbicides from aqueous environment. The material exhibited remarkable adsorption capacities for butachlor (232.56 mg/g), anilofos (188.68 mg/g), and pendimethalin (285.71 mg/g), along with excellent acid–base stability (pH 3–9), strong anti-ion interference capability, and good reusability (adsorption efficiency >80% after five cycles). The adsorption processes were well-described by the two isotherm models and the pseudo-second-order model, indicating that the dominant mechanism is a synergistic effect between monolayer chemical adsorption and multilayer physical adsorption, primarily driven by π-π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and coordination. The material maintained outstanding adsorption efficiency (>85%) in real water samples (tap water, seawater, and river water). This study not only provides a sustainable and effective strategy for herbicide remediation from aqueous environment but also expands the practical applications of MOF@COF in aqueous environment.