Cellulose Nanocrystal-Hollow Mesoporous Organosilica Composites for Foliar Fungicide Delivery

To enhance pesticide utilization and minimize uncontrolled release, we developed an environmentally responsive prochloraz (Pro)-loaded nanocomposite, Pro@HMON-NH₂-CNC. This system synergistically combines amino-functionalized hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (HMON-NH₂) for intelligent glutathione (GSH)-responsive release, with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) for exceptional foliar wettability and adhesion. Optimized with CNC-3 (aspect ratio ≈ 5.5), the composite exhibited a superior contact angle of 89.8° and an outstanding retention rate of 81.4% on rice leaves. Crucially, the system demonstrated precise dual-responsive behavior: drug release reached 44.0 and 24.8% under acidic (pH 3.0) and GSH conditions, respectively, while premature leakage was strictly restricted to <15% under neutral conditions (pH 7.0). This hybrid strategy effectively integrates the adhesive benefits of CNCs with the controlled-release capability of HMONs, offering a highly efficient and eco-friendly platform for smart nanopesticide delivery.