Nanoparticles could be used to deliver insecticides, according to researchers in Australia.
The team loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles with an insecticide called imidacloprid and used it to clear termites from wood. They found that 80% of the termites were cleared by controlled release from the particles over 48 hours. Current insecticides, such as DDT, bioaccumulate and cause environmental damage – encapsulating insecticides in nanoparticles prevents this.
Reference:
Adsorption and release of biocides with mesoporous silica nanoparticles
A Popat et al, Nanoscale, 2012
DOI: 10.1039/c2nr11691j
