LAUSR

Abstract Five typical Zn-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) such as MOF-74(Zn) were pyrolyzed to obtain carbons-derived from MOFs (CDMs). The carbon-derived from MOF-74(Zn) or CDM-74 was firstly applied, together with other four CDMs and commercial activated carbon (AC), in the adsorptive removal of five representative contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) such as phthalic acid, diethyl phthalate, N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET), chloroxylenol (CLXN) and oxybenzone (OXB) from water. CDM-74, with high mesopore volume and acid sites density, showed the highest capacity for the adsorption of DEET, OXB and CLXN from water among the tested and any reported adsorbent, so far. The plausible adsorption mechanism could be suggested, or H-bonding was important in the adsorption where the DEET and CDM-74 (especially phenolics) can be H-acceptor and H-donor, respectively. Based on the highest adsorption capacity for three adsorbates and facile recyclability, CDM-74 could be suggested as a potential adsorbent to eliminate a wide range of CECs from water.