Controlled CO2 Adsorption and Release by Photoresponsive Metal–Organic Frameworks: Enhancing Crop Yields

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the material substance of plant photosynthesis, yet its concentration remains insufficient to meet plant photosynthesis demands. Therefore, the formation of CO₂-enriched regions around leaf stomata is expected to improve the efficiency of plant photosynthesis. Herein, a photoresponsive metal–organic framework (Zr-ABTC) was constructed from azobenzene bonds, while T(n)/Zr-ABTC was prepared by the incorporation of tetraethyl pentamine (TEPA) with an adsorption ability for CO₂. The photoresponsive material could capture CO₂ in darkness and release it under ultraviolet irradiation, thus establishing a CO₂ “enrichment-release” cycle under dark/light cycles. Upon application of Zr-ABTC onto Chinese little green leaves, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the material is distributed around plant stomata, resulting in an 87.5% increase in crop yield compared with the blank control group not treated by Zr-ABTC (dry weight). The photothermal responsive materials created in this article may be used to improve the photosynthetic efficiency and enhance agricultural productivity.