Adsorption and removal of phthalic acid and diethyl phthalate from water with zeolitic imidazolate and metal-organic frameworks

- Electrostatic interaction is important for high adsorptions over ZIF-8.
- Acid-base interaction also can contribute to the adsorption of phthalic acid.
- ZIF-8 can be used to remove phthalic acid even though positivity was not high.
- Used ZIF-8 can be recycled for the adsorptions by simple methanol washing.