Design and Application of Metal-Organic Frameworks in Agriculture

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are emerging porous materials with tunable reactivity that can improve nutrient dynamics, yet their behavior in tropical soils—where mineralogy strongly controls carbon (C) stabilization and fertility—remains largely unexplored. This study provides experimental evidence that a soil-targeted MOF can simultaneously enhance C sequestration and nutrient cycling in tropical Oxisols while improving crop productivity and reducing CO₂ emissions per unit biomass. The observed mineralogical links—captured by magnetic susceptibility and associated changes—support the hypothesis that MOF–mineral interactions contribute to altered soil respiration and C retention. In this plenary, we will provide details on the synthesis scale-up and characterization of a porous oxalate–phosphate–amine MOF (OPA-MOF) designed for agricultural applications.