MXenes as emerging nanomaterials for sustainable agriculture: A review

MXenes, a novel class of two-dimensional transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, have gained increasing attention in agriculture due to their unique physicochemical properties, including high conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, and exceptional adsorption capabilities. This review explores the role of MXenes in agricultural applications, focusing on biosensing, soil enhancement, pollutant remediation, and crop protection. The high surface area and hydrophilicity of MXenes make them suitable for precision agriculture, enabling real-time monitoring of soil nutrients, pesticide residues, and heavy metal contamination. Moreover, their antimicrobial and catalytic properties offer promising solutions for soil pollution remediation, reducing the adverse impact of agrochemicals on ecosystems. However, challenges such as stability, potential toxicity, and large-scale synthesis must be addressed to ensure their safe and sustainable integration into agricultural systems. This review provides the latest advances in MXenes application to agriculture for the advantage of scientists and policymakers who are interested in leveraging MXenes to enhance agricultural productivity while mitigating environmental risks. Future research directions necessitate to optimize the use of MXenes in precision agriculture in an attempt at addressing global food and nutrition security.