Water stable Zr-metal–organic framework nanoparticles (PCN-224 NPs) have been solvothermally synthesized. PCN-224 NPs show spherical shape with smooth surface and particle size of approximately 200 nm. PCN-224 NPs can be stable in acid and aqueous solutions, as confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction. Gatifloxacin (GTF) adsorption measurements showed that PCN-224 NPs exhibit a high adsorption capacity of 876 mgg-1. Meanwhile, the adsorption factors, adsorption characteristics, and mechanisms of GTF were investigated in batch adsorption experiments.