HEFEI, Oct. 18 -- Scientists from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have developed spiky silica nanoparticles that significantly improve pesticide adhesion on crops, addressing a major agricultural challenge where up to 90 percent of conventional sprays wash off or degrade.

In a study published in the Journal of Controlled Release, researchers mimicked gut bacteria pili-hair-like structures that function as hooks-to design hollow, rough-surfaced silica nanoparticles loaded with imidacloprid, a common insecticide.

When sprayed on waxy leaf surfaces, the spiky particles lock in physically like anchors and form chemical hydrogen bonds. This "double grip" prevents wash-off from rain, resists UV damage, a...