Scalable room-temperature synthesis of a MOF-based magnetic adsorbent for rapid simultaneous removal of PFAS and micro-nanoplastics

The growing presence of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and co -pollutants in water poses a major challenge for treatment technologies. MNPs act as vectors that transport PFAS, and metals associated with cancer and systemic health risks, amplifying ecological and human impacts. Most reported sorbents are restricted to micron-scale plastics, rarely achieve submicron capture, and require residence times exceeding 200 min, far longer than the 10–60 min windows typical of industrial treatment. Long-chain PFAS remain particularly resistant to capture. We report a magnetically recoverable adsorbent, GDC@FeO@MOF, in which Fe-imidazolate domains are grown directly on carbon-FeO particles at room temperature. This stabilises normally unstable Fe-imidazolates, yielding a nanopillared 2D structure that maximises accessibility and introduces Fe-C/N sites for binding fluorinated surfactants and charged pollutants, while magnetic particles enable rapid recovery. The adsorbent removes >95% of MNPs across 30 nm-8 μm and >85% of PFDA within 60 min. It performs broadly across pollutant classes, with >88% removal of polyester microfibres and dyes from industrial laundry wastewater, which was validated in a 4 L prototype using a commercial magnetic separator. Reusability over five cycles and thermal regeneration into a functional magnetic composite confirm durability and circular recovery.