Fabrication of a controllable nanopesticide system with magnetic collectability

In this work, we constructed a multifunctional nanopesticide system, a pH-responsively controlled-release pesticide (PRCRP) with magnetic collectability performance, to effectively improve the pesticide utilization efficiency (UE). Herein, herbicide (glyphosate) and pesticide (cypermethrin) were respectively loaded in the micro-nano pores of diatomite/Fe3O4, a magnetic nanocarrier, which was fabricated through in-situ deposition method. Afterwards, the resulting pesticide/diatomite/Fe3O4 was coated by chitosan which can be dissolved in acid condition so as to control the release of pesticide. The magnetism resulted from Fe3O4 endowed PRCRP a feasible magnetic collection performance. After the release of pesticide, PRCRP could be separated conveniently from water and soil with a high collection ratio. PRCRP displayed a high adhesion capacity on the weed surface and pest epidermis, a significantly controlled-release performance, a high UE, an outstanding control efficacy on weed and pest, and potential collectability in practice. Therefore, this technology may have a promising application potential in reducing pesticide residue and risk to the environment. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.