In Situ Growth of Zr-Based MOF on Surface-Activated Polyester Fabrics for Efficient Diuron Removal from Aqueous Solution

Diuron (DU) is a persistent herbicide that poses serious environmental and public health concerns due to its long-term stability in soil and aquatic systems. Herein, we report a novel upcycling-based adsorbent platform achieved by the in situ growth of a Zr-based UiO-66-NH₂ metal–organic framework (MOF) directly onto waste polyester fabrics, introducing a dual-function strategy that simultaneously addresses plastic waste valorization and pesticide remediation. Unlike conventional powder-based MOF adsorbents, the resulting AP@UiO-66-NH₂ composite integrates high adsorption efficiency with structural robustness and reusability. Comprehensive characterization (FTIR, XRD, SEM, BET, and zeta potential analyses) confirms the uniform dispersion and structural integrity of UiO-66-NH₂ on the polyester fiber surface. Adsorption studies reveal that pristine UiO-66-NH₂ achieves a DU removal efficiency of 97% with a maximum adsorption capacity of 361.5 mg/g, following the Langmuir isotherm model, while the composite AP@UiO-66-NH₂ retains a high removal efficiency of 84% and a capacity of 58.7 mg/g. The decrease in specific surface area from 575 to 325 m²/g in BET analysis after DU loading indicates that DU was successfully adsorbed onto the MOF pores. The change in zeta potential from − 27 to − 24 mV reveals that electrostatic interactions play a role in the adsorption mechanism. Overall, this work demonstrates, for the first time, the feasibility of converting waste polyester textiles into high-performance, reusable MOF-based adsorbents, offering a sustainable and scalable solution for herbicide-contaminated water treatment.