Work

Polycaprolactone‐Based Bicontinuous Structures Stabilized by Nanoparticles as Selective Pesticide Delivery Systems in Agriculture

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Pesticides play a crucial role in improving agricultural productivity and, consequently, global food security. However, conventional pesticide delivery systems typically rely on organic solvents and/or surfactants to solubilize highly hydrophobic active ingredients, leading to significant environmental concerns. In this work, we present a degradable bicontinuous delivery system for pesticide loading that can be produced through a simple, solvent‐ and surfactant‐free process. As demonstrated in our previous studies, this platform enables the simultaneous incorporation of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds during material fabrication, offering potential cost reductions. Here, we investigate atrazine as a model herbicide. Its release kinetics were evaluated in both celite and natural soil as representative release media. In plant‐growth assays, atrazine‐loaded bicontinuous structures markedly reduced Brassica sp. growth, whereas no measurable effect was observed for Zea mays under the tested conditions.

Source: Particle & Particle Systems Characterization

DOI: 10.1002/ppsc.70102

Authors: Fabio Pizzetti, Maria Camila Barrera Arevalo, Franca Castiglione, Maurizio Masi, Filippo Rossi

Institution: Politecnico di Milano

Language: English

Topic: Polymer-Based Agricultural Enhancements

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,360