Hybrid ZIF‐Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposites for Water Decontamination: Mechanistic Insights, Performance Benchmarks, and Future Perspectives

ABSTRACT

Owing to their long‐term toxicity and potential to damage ecosystems, organic and inorganic contaminants in wastewater pose a serious environmental challenge. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), known for their high porosity and tunable properties, have emerged as promising materials for efficient pollutant removal. Among them, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) have attracted considerable attention due to their high adsorption capacity, adjustable pore size, and relatively high stability. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with their large surface area, high conductivity, and strong adsorption potential, are also attractive materials for environmental applications. The integration of ZIFs and CNTs into nanocomposites offers enhanced performance; however, a comprehensive review of their combined use for removing organic and inorganic pollutants is still lacking. This review provides a detailed analysis of ZIFs‐CNTs nanocomposites and their individual components in wastewater treatment. The effects of key operational parameters, including pH, temperature, pollutant concentration, and adsorbent dosage, are discussed. In addition, adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics are critically examined. Synthesis methods and structural characteristics are also outlined, along with current challenges and future research directions.