A new temperature-responsive controlled-release pesticide formulation – poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) modified graphene oxide as the nanocarrier for lambda-cyhalothrin delivery and their application in pesticide transportation

Abstract In recent years, stimuli-responsive controlled-release pesticide formulations have drawn extensive as they show huge potential in the practical application of agriculture. Herein, a multifunctional composite nanocarrier was prepared by our group, Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) modified graphene oxide (PNIPAm-GO), this is a temperature-responsive release pesticide formulation that can regulate pesticide release based on the temperature change. Lambda-cyhalothrin (LC) was loaded on PNIPAm-GO nanocomposite carrier via a simple physisorption process and LC@PNIPAm-GO exhibited temperature-responsive controlled release performance leading to release of LC at a specified temperature and extended its persisted release time. In addition, the LC@PNIPAm-GO controlled-release pesticide formulations showed both good water solubility and dispersion stability while its anti-UV property. Furthermore, we also assessed the biological safety of LC@PNIPAm-GO and proved that PNIPAm-GO is non-toxic. The study of this temperature-responsive pesticide formulation has promoted the development of intelligent pesticide formulations to great extent.