Abstract: The present disclosure describes compositions and methods for preparing aqueous nano-dispersions of hydrophobic agrochemicals and fungicides comprising cellulose nanomaterials as a carrier or dispersing agent. The compositions described herein provide superior pest and parasite control efficiency. The disclosure also provides pesticide formulations comprising cellulose nanomaterials and a dispersing agent, e.g., a surfactant, that demonstrates enhanced deposition on hydrophobic plant surfaces. The disclosure also describes the design and preparation of mucoadhesive CNC pesticide containing nano-dispersion for the control and remediation of parasitic organisms, such as sea lice in farmed aquatic species such as salmon.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to use of polydopamine (PD) coated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as template for further conjugation of functional oligomers (amines, carboxylic acids etc.) and the immobilization of various types of CNC hybrid nanomaterial nanoparticles to improve their stability in aqueous solution, e.g. the preparation of silver nanoparticle on CNC. Surface functionalization of CNC with polydopamine can be performed by mixing dopamine and CNCs for certain time at designed temperature. The resultant PD-CNCs can be used to stabilize metallic and inorganic nanoparticles, which could be generated in-situ, and further immobilized on the surface of PD coated CNCs. Benefiting from the improved stability, the resultant nanoparticles immobilized PD-CNC system also generally possess higher catalytic activity than the nanoparticles alone.