Innovative Dual-Network Architecture of Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Gelatin/MIL-101(Fe) Carrier: A Vital Step toward Precision Trifluralin Delivery and Sustainable Crop Protection

To mitigate the ecological risks of trifluralin (TFL) from volatilization, photolysis, and leaching, a stimuli-responsive composite, TFL/CMC-GEL/MIL-101(Fe), was developed by encapsulating MIL-101(Fe) within a carboxymethyl cellulose–gelatin semi-interpenetrating hydrogel. The composite enhanced light stability of TFL by 1.5 times, reduced leaching by 17.8%, and extended soil retention beyond 14 days, minimizing groundwater contamination. In addition, the herbicidal activity of TFL/CMC-GEL/MIL-101(Fe) against Portulaca oleracea L. and Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beauv. were 95% and 94%, respectively, which was equivalent to TFL technical. Meanwhile, this herbicidal delivery system markedly enhanced crop safety, with rice seed germination rising from 13% under TFL technical alone to 36%. The dual-network design enables on-demand herbicide release by integrating MIL-101(Fe)-mediated protection with hydrogel-based stimuli responsiveness, effectively mitigating herbicide migration in the environment and offering a sustainable plant protection platform.