One-Pot Synthesized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with Chlorfenapyr for Effective Control of Plutella xylostella

In recent years, the low utilization rate of pesticides has posed challenges to sustainable agriculture, but controlled-release formulations offer a potential solution. In this study, a controlled-release agent (MSN–CHL) was developed via a simple one-pot method by encapsulating chlorfenapyr (CHL) into mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN). Stability tests demonstrated that MSN–CHL effectively protected CHL from UV-induced degradation. Release kinetics showed sustained CHL release for over 2 weeks. Bioactivity tests revealed a 57.2% mortality rate against Plutella xylostella after 2 weeks, significantly higher than that of commercial CHL suspension (42.1%). Moreover, acute toxicity tests on zebrafish and earthworms confirmed that MSN–CHL significantly reduced toxicity to nontarget organisms compared to the 10% CHL suspension concentrate (CHL SC). Plant safety experiments indicated that MSN–CHL had no negative effect on cabbage seedling growth. These results suggest that the developed formulation not only improves pesticide efficacy and bioavailability but also enhances environmental and biological safety. The simple, safe, and efficient preparation method highlights the potential of MSN–CHL as a promising strategy for sustainable pest control in agriculture.