Using chemicals like pesticides, fertilizers, and plant growth boosters in farming helps increase crop production, but IT often leads to health hazards and environmental pollution

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the University of Tennessee $300,000 on April 1, 2026, under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) to develop cellulose-metal-organic framework (Cello-MOF) composite materials for detecting and breaking down residual pesticides, fertilizers, and plant growth regulators in agricultural environments. The hybrid materials combine nanocellulose—flexible, plant-based fibers—with metal-organic frameworks, porous functional particles that enable absorption, sensing, and decomposition of agrichemicals. The project addresses two major challenges in chemical mitigation: identifying pesticide and fertilizer residues in produce, soil, and water, and converting them into harmless substances. Cello-MOF composites will be developed in paper or filter forms to overcome the brittleness and handling difficulties of metal-organic frameworks alone while retaining their high surface area and functional properties.

Performance occurs in Knoxville, Tennessee, with a completion date of March 31, 2028. The award supports development of prototype Cello-MOF materials through careful selection of plant fiber chemistry, metals, and linking molecules optimized for pollutant absorption, sensing, and decomposition. The research yields chemistry and engineering knowledge applicable to rapid, on-site monitoring and cleanup of chemical residues, with potential applications in air purification, threat detection, and environmental protection in agriculture and related fields.

Sub-recipients are Auburn University, characterizing optical sensing responses of Cello-MOF composites to agrichemicals across visible wavelengths and temperatures, and the University of Memphis, testing Cello-MOF materials as catalysts for thermal conversion of agrichemicals into less-toxic or more valuable substances using gas chromatography.

Two major hurdles are associated with the mitigation of these hazardous chemicals: i) spotting leftover chemicals in produce, soil, and water, and II) turning them into harmless substances. In this project, we'LL create special hybrid materials called cello-mofs by combining tiny plant-based fibers (nanocellulose) with advanced porous and functional particles (metal-organic frameworks). These hybrids will work together to take in, detect, and break down harmful farming chemicals. The porous materials of mofs are great for multiple tasks due to their large surface area and high functionality, but they'RE brittle and small, so hard to handle on their own. Pairing them with flexible, ECO-friendly nanocellulose in paper or filter forms solves these problems, creating a powerful synergy. We'LL develop a set of these hybrid prototypes by carefully picking the right chemistry of plant fibers, metals, and linking molecules to make them effective at absorbing, sensing, and decomposing pollutants. This work will provide chemistry and engineering knowledge of making cellulose-based functional materials. IT could lead to breakthrough technology for quick, on-the-spot monitoring and cleanup of chemical residues, while also advancing approaches to purify air, detect threats, and protect the environment in agriculture and other fields.