Pesticide delivery microcapsule based on maleic anhydride‐functionalized cellulose nanocrystals‐stabilized pickering emulsion

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2025-01, Vol.142 (3), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Wu, Chao, Li, Yong‐jiang, Ding, Jia‐wei, Jiang, Hui, Su, Hui‐fen, Liu, Yue, Gao, Tian‐yu, Li, De‐qiang, Li, Jun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cellulose; cellulose nanocrystals; Contact angle; Design defects; Emulsion polymerization; Maleic anhydride; microcapsule; Microencapsulation; Nanocrystals; pesticide delivery; Pesticides; pickering emulsion; Polymethyl methacrylate
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.56370

The efficient use of pesticides is conducive to the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature, and pesticide transport carriers can enhance the utilization value of pesticides. However, design flaws in many pesticide carriers have resulted in numerous environmental and toxicity problems. Therefore, this paper proposed a method for synthesizing pesticide microcapsules using Pickering emulsion templates stabilized by maleic anhydride‐functionalized cellulose nanocrystals‐g‐poly (methyl methacrylate) (MACNCs‐g‐MMA), viz., simple radical polymerization of maleic anhydride‐functionalized cellulose nanocrystals with methyl methacrylate in Pickering emulsion. The structure and morphology of microcapsules were characterized via the FT‐IR, XRD, TG‐DTG, and SEM techniques. The imidacloprid‐loaded MACNCs‐g‐MMA (IMI@MACNCs‐g‐MMA) presented a high encapsulation efficiency (~94.13%) and drug loading efficiency (~24.00%). The release behavior was affected by temperature, viz., higher temperature promoted the release of IMI. Regarding the spread and retention on the leaf surface, the IMI@MACNCs‐g‐MMA demonstrated significant advantages over commercial IMI water‐dispersible granules (CG) (36.9° vs. 104.9° for contact angle, 14.3 vs. 30.0 mg cm−2 for retention). This study provides a promising pesticide formula for sustainable agriculture. The temperature‐responsive pesticide delivery microcapsule, based on maleic anhydride‐functionalized cellulose nanocrystals‐stabilized Pickering emulsion, exhibited a high encapsulation rate and drug loading efficiency. Moreover, it demonstrated significant advantages over commercially available water‐dispersed particles of imidacloprid in terms of leaf surface diffusion and retention.