Advances in metal organic framework-based sensors for environmental contaminant sensing with a special focus on pesticides

The advancements in contemporary agricultural practices owe much to the significant role of pesticides in controlling pests, diseases, and enhancing crop yields. Despite their broad utility, pesticides, particularly at high and low concentrations, pose serious risks to human and animal health. Consequently, it is crucial to implement robust management strategies for the pre-concentration and removal of these harmful compounds from the environment. Moreover, developing sensitive and portable sensors for on-site pesticide detection is essential to overcome the limitations of traditional methods, which often involve labour-intensive processes, high costs, and limited portability. Among the various approaches, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained significant attention due to their unique properties, such as high surface area, physio-chemical stability, crystallinity, and tunable structures, which make them ideal candidates for pesticide detection. The versatility and functional adaptability of MOFs contribute to enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and performance in sensing applications. In this regard, this review examines recent advancements in MOF-based sensors for the detection and removal of pesticides, with a particular focus on organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) and non-organophosphorus pesticides. Additionally, we highlight the potential of MOF-assisted sensors for detecting other environmental contaminants, including organic pollutants and heavy metal ions. Finally, we address the challenges associated with MOF-based pesticide sensing and provide insights into future research directions, emphasising the need for more efficient, practical, and scalable sensing technologies. This review aims to guide readers in understanding the importance of MOFs in pesticide detection and the challenges limiting their widespread application.