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Published on: July 21, 2023
Synergistic Light-Dark Dual-Mode Herbicides Delivery: Controlled Release and Enhanced Utilization with Functionalized
Sijin Li1, Haonan Qu1, Govindasami Periyasami2
1State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan430079, P. R. China.
Abstract:
To solve pesticide photolysis and poor performance in dark soil/root zones, an intelligent controlled-release system using a photoresponsive N-acetyl-l-cysteine-pillar[6]arene (N-l-Cys-P6)-functionalized nanochannel membrane is developed. Utilizing retinoic acid photoisomerization, the system reversibly switches host-guest inclusion forms under visible light, dynamically tuning surface charge density and hydrophobicity. Under dark conditions, N-l-Cys-P6 nanochannels release triclopyr and R-2,4-DP 4-fold and 1.4-fold more than under visible light, respectively. Furthermore, chiral N-l-Cys-P6 imparts enantioselectivity: R-2,4-DP release is 1.7 times as large as that of the S isomer in darkness. Weeding tests verify that herbicides released in the dark present superior inhibition on broadleaf weeds. This design offers a new route for smart light-responsive pesticide delivery and facilitates an eco-friendly agricultural development.
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