Novel Nanoscale Porphyrinic Inorganic Materials in Agricultural Development and Environment Sustainability

Porphyrins are naturally occurring tetrapyrrolic biologically important molecules that can be also produced synthetically. The nanosized porphy­rinic metal-organic frameworks are an emerging area of research interest due to their potential application in sustainable agriculture and environ­mental protection. Designing cost-effective, highly sensitive, and selective environmental pollutant real-time detectors is the fastest-growing demand at the present time. These porphyrin-based inorganic nanomaterials have a remarkable array of potential benefits for agricultural and environmental sustainability. In this chapter, we have discussed the conventional and green synthetic methods of preparation and their functionalization for various appli­cations in maintaining agricultural sustainability via light-activated reactive oxygen species, controlled delivery of nutrients and pesticides for efficient cultivation, soil revitalization by binding contaminants with porphyrinic-MOFs, water purification by photocatalysis, and regulated plant growth for enhanced yields. As we continued our discussion of environmental sustain­ability, we also discussed the sensing of common environmental toxins like pesticides, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds.