Sustainable Pest Management with Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with β-Cypermethrin

β-cypermethrin (BCP) is a broad-spectrum insecticide known for its rapid efficacy. However, it is highly toxic to non-target organisms such as bees and fish, and its effectiveness is limited by a short duration of action. Improving the release profile of BCP is essential for reducing its environment...

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Main Authors: Min Li, Linmiao Xue, Teng Gao, Zhuo Zhang, Dan Zhao, Xing Li, Zhanhai Kang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Agronomy
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/3/737
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author Min Li
Linmiao Xue
Teng Gao
Zhuo Zhang
Dan Zhao
Xing Li
Zhanhai Kang
author_facet Min Li
Linmiao Xue
Teng Gao
Zhuo Zhang
Dan Zhao
Xing Li
Zhanhai Kang
author_sort Min Li
collection DOAJ
description β-cypermethrin (BCP) is a broad-spectrum insecticide known for its rapid efficacy. However, it is highly toxic to non-target organisms such as bees and fish, and its effectiveness is limited by a short duration of action. Improving the release profile of BCP is essential for reducing its environmental toxicity while preserving its effectiveness. In this study, hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSNs) were synthesized using a self-templating method, and BCP-loaded HMSNs were prepared through physical adsorption. The structural and physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The BCP release profile was assessed using the dialysis bag method. The results showed that the synthesized nanoparticles exhibited uniform morphology, thin shells, and large internal cavities. The HMSNs had a pore size of 3.09 nm, a specific surface area of 1318 m<sup>2</sup>·g<sup>−1</sup>, a pore volume of 1.52 cm<sup>3</sup>·g<sup>−1</sup>, and an average particle size of 183 nm. TEM, FT-IR, and TGA analyses confirmed the successful incorporation of BCP into the HMSNs, achieving a drug loading efficiency of 32.53%. The BCP-loaded nanoparticles exhibited sustained-release properties, with an initial burst followed by gradual release, extending efficacy for 30 days. Safety evaluations revealed minimal toxicity to maize seedlings, confirming the biocompatibility of the nanoparticles. These findings indicate that BCP-loaded HMSNs can enhance the efficacy of BCP while reducing its environmental toxicity, providing a biocompatible and environmentally friendly solution for pest control.
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spelling doaj-art-b806e784ef754c76b9db8da501ca1b772025-08-20T02:11:04ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-03-0115373710.3390/agronomy15030737Sustainable Pest Management with Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with β-CypermethrinMin Li0Linmiao Xue1Teng Gao2Zhuo Zhang3Dan Zhao4Xing Li5Zhanhai Kang6College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, ChinaCollege of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, ChinaCollege of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, ChinaLouvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, BelgiumCollege of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, ChinaCollege of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, ChinaCollege of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, Chinaβ-cypermethrin (BCP) is a broad-spectrum insecticide known for its rapid efficacy. However, it is highly toxic to non-target organisms such as bees and fish, and its effectiveness is limited by a short duration of action. Improving the release profile of BCP is essential for reducing its environmental toxicity while preserving its effectiveness. In this study, hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSNs) were synthesized using a self-templating method, and BCP-loaded HMSNs were prepared through physical adsorption. The structural and physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The BCP release profile was assessed using the dialysis bag method. The results showed that the synthesized nanoparticles exhibited uniform morphology, thin shells, and large internal cavities. The HMSNs had a pore size of 3.09 nm, a specific surface area of 1318 m<sup>2</sup>·g<sup>−1</sup>, a pore volume of 1.52 cm<sup>3</sup>·g<sup>−1</sup>, and an average particle size of 183 nm. TEM, FT-IR, and TGA analyses confirmed the successful incorporation of BCP into the HMSNs, achieving a drug loading efficiency of 32.53%. The BCP-loaded nanoparticles exhibited sustained-release properties, with an initial burst followed by gradual release, extending efficacy for 30 days. Safety evaluations revealed minimal toxicity to maize seedlings, confirming the biocompatibility of the nanoparticles. These findings indicate that BCP-loaded HMSNs can enhance the efficacy of BCP while reducing its environmental toxicity, providing a biocompatible and environmentally friendly solution for pest control.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/3/737agricultural nanotechnologyβ-cypermethrin (BCP)hollow mesoporous silica (HMSNs)nanoparticlesselective etchingsustained release
spellingShingle Min Li
Linmiao Xue
Teng Gao
Zhuo Zhang
Dan Zhao
Xing Li
Zhanhai Kang
Sustainable Pest Management with Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with β-Cypermethrin
Agronomy
agricultural nanotechnology
β-cypermethrin (BCP)
hollow mesoporous silica (HMSNs)
nanoparticles
selective etching
sustained release
title Sustainable Pest Management with Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with β-Cypermethrin
title_full Sustainable Pest Management with Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with β-Cypermethrin
title_fullStr Sustainable Pest Management with Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with β-Cypermethrin
title_full_unstemmed Sustainable Pest Management with Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with β-Cypermethrin
title_short Sustainable Pest Management with Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with β-Cypermethrin
title_sort sustainable pest management with hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with β cypermethrin
topic agricultural nanotechnology
β-cypermethrin (BCP)
hollow mesoporous silica (HMSNs)
nanoparticles
selective etching
sustained release
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/3/737
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