Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets Improve the Adhesion of Fungicides to Leaves and the Antifungal Performance

Pesticides play an important role in plant protection and food security. Owing to the weak adhesion of pesticide particles to leaves, large amounts of pesticides are required, which cause water and soil pollution, making it harmful to human health. Hence, self-assembled layered double hydroxides (LDHs) in a formulation with azoxystrobin (an antifungal agent) were introduced. They were released slowly and adhered well to various foliage surfaces. The ordered azoxystrobin–LDH organic–inorganic composite showed an adhesion of ∼70% with leaves and sustained release. The adhesion mechanism and antifungal properties were investigated. The charge distribution in LDHs caused good dispersion of pesticide formulation in water. The hydroxyl groups on the layer surfaces of LDHs mediated interactions between the azoxystrobin and leaf surfaces through electrostatic interactions (with azoxystrobin) and hydrogen bonds (with leaf surfaces). This work helps us understand the role of nanomaterials in improving pesticide efficacy and provides insights into applying nanomaterials for agricultural protection.