Evaluating UV-Blocking Carriers for Enhanced Photostability of Pesticide Formulations

Photodegradation of pesticides under sunlight severely limits their effectiveness in the field, leading to frequent reapplication, reduced crop protection, and unnecessary environmental loading. When pesticides degrade rapidly under natural light exposure, farmers must compensate by applying higher amounts or spraying more frequently, practices that increase cost, labor, and chemical burden on the environment. Improving the photostability of pesticide formulations is therefore a critical step toward achieving more efficient, durable, and sustainable agricultural practices.

This project focuses on the development of nanopesticide formulations designed to minimize light-induced degradation by incorporating different UV-blocking carriers. By introducing protective nanostructured materials into pesticide systems, it becomes possible not only to absorb or scatter harmful UV radiation but also to maintain the bioactivity of the active ingredient for longer periods of time. The formulations are prepared by dispersing the fungicide together with stabilizers and selected UV-blocking carriers in aqueous media, followed by controlled processing to yield either stable liquid dispersions or dry powders suitable for storage and application. Each formulation undergoes thorough physicochemical characterization, including analysis of particle size and distribution using dynamic light scattering, surface charge stability through zeta potential measurements, and structural features assessed by infrared spectroscopy. Photoprotection is evaluated by monitoring degradation behavior under controlled UV exposure, allowing comparisons between different carrier systems.

Preliminary observations indicate that the inclusion of UV-blocking carriers markedly improves pesticide stability, with some carriers showing stronger protective effects than others while maintaining particle sizes in the desired nanometer range. The current focus of this research is directed toward systematically analyzing the efficiency of different UV-blocking materials, with the goal of identifying which carriers provide the most effective photoprotection and stabilization for the fungicide.

This work highlights the promise of nanostructured UV-blocking carriers as an innovative strategy to strengthen pesticide formulations, lower environmental impact, and contribute to the advancement of sustainable crop protection technologies.