Polydopamine-Modified Mesoporous Nanobottles with High Loading Capacity for Sustained Release and Retention of Kresoxim-Methyl on Foliar Surfaces

The development and application of nanopesticides (NPs) have promoted agricultural modernization. However, the preparation of NPs with high drug-loading capacity, long-lasting sustained release, and exceptional wettability remains a formidable challenge. Herein, polydopamine-modified mesoporous nanobottles (PDAMNBs) are developed by solvent-mediated polymerization-induced self-assembly, capable of loading kresoxim-methyl (KM) in situ. The formation of PDAMNBs is revealed by exploring the coassembly process of micelles and precursors. Meanwhile, loading capacity and the release properties of varying pH/temperature conditions of pesticide-loaded PDAMNBs are explored. The results show that PDAMNBs exhibit a notable drug-loading efficiency of 49.28%, a prolonged release of 336 h, and good wettability to foliar surfaces. Due to the distinctive meso-macroporous architecture of PDAMNBs, they possess the capability to enable a staged sustained release in response to plant maladies. Furthermore, the hydrogen bonding between polydopamine and KM, as well as the π–π stacking interaction, plays crucial roles in achieving a high drug loading capacity. And the robust adhesion of polydopamine enhances the retention rate of PDAMNBs by improving foliar surface wettability and mitigating splash resistance. Therefore, PDAMNBs are characterized by high drug-loading capacity, sustained release, and spreading wettability, which provide a feasible solution for insufficient active ingredients and low utilization of pesticides.