Closed-Loop Nanoagriculture: Lignocellulose-Derived Dual-Gated Nanovehicles Synchronizing Pest Management with Agricultural Waste Valorization

Conventional pesticides’ inefficient utilization, environmental persistence, and nontarget toxicity have driven urgent demand for sustainable, stimuli-responsive delivery systems. Lignin, an abundant aromatic biopolymer and underutilized paper industry byproduct, presents a renewable platform for advanced agrochemical formulations. Herein, we engineered a biomass-derived smart nanodelivery system through supramolecular nanoarchitectonics. Transforming paper industry byproducts into functional nanomaterials, cationic corn stover lignin (L-CTAB) was molecularly engineered via quaternary ammonium grafting, enabling precise encapsulation of avermectin (AVM) through π–π stacking and hydrophobic self-assembly. Optimized formulation (1:3 pesticide/lignin’s ratio) yielded monodisperse nanospheres (250 nm) with near-perfect encapsulation efficiency (99%). The hierarchical architecture demonstrates: (1) The AVM@L-CTAB nanoarchitectonics system exhibited pH/enzyme-triggered release kinetics, with substantially enhanced cumulative AVM release under simulated pest gut conditions (alkaline pH and laccase activity) compared to acidic environments; (2) Advanced photoprotection─84% bioactivity retention after 96 h UV (vs 18% for free AVM) through lignin’s UV-absorbing conjugated systems; (3) Thermal resilience─68% residual mass at 560 °C (10 °C min–1) via char-forming aromatic networks. Bioassays demonstrated dose-intelligent efficacy: Plutella xylostella larvae revealed 90% mortality at 5 mg L–1, outperforming free AVM (30% post-UV exposure). This work not only valorizes lignocellulosic waste (global production: 50 million tons/year) into functional nanomaterials but also establishes a biodegradable, precision-targeted pesticide delivery strategy, addressing critical gaps in agricultural sustainability and environmental safety.