Ecofriendly polysaccharide-based alginate/pluronic F127 semi-IPN hydrogel with magnetic collectability for precise release of pesticides and sustained pest control

Abstract

Controlled-release systems are crucial for efficient pesticide utilization and environmental protection in agricultural production. The utilization of polysaccharide-based materials derived from biopolymers as carriers for controlling pesticide release holds significant potential. In this work, a reversible near infrared-responsive polysaccharide-based hydrogel (RNPH) was fabricated by employing a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (alginate-FeIII/pluronic F127) as a carrier to encapsulate Fe3O4@polydopamine (FP) and emamectin benzoate (EB)-loaded hollow mesoporous silica. The incorporation of FP into the RNPH introduced a photothermal effect, enabling the precise release of EB through reversible shrinkage of the hydrogel upon NIR irradiation. Additionally, the presence of magnetic Fe3O4 in the system facilitated the rapid removal of remaining RNPH from the environment using a magnet, reducing EB residue. Importantly, RNPH exhibited exceptional controlled-release performance and could be reused for at least 4 cycles. Furthermore, the anti-photolysis ability of EB protected by RNPH was enhanced by 4.8 times compared to EB alone. Moreover, RNPH significantly improved the adhesion of EB to foliar surfaces, thereby reducing the loss of EB while ensuring crop safety. Therefore, the polysaccharide-based hydrogel holds promise as a versatile carrier for the precise release of EB, offering valuable applications in enhancing pesticide bioavailability and promoting environmental safety.