Preparation and characterization of tebuconazole metal-organic framework-based microcapsules with dual-microbicidal activity

Based on excellent optical properties and microbicide activity, porphyrinic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are widely used as drug release carriers for their photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this work, porous porphyrinic MOFs (PCN-224) nanoparticles were synthesized for loading and controlling release of tebuconazole by using meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine (H 2 TCPP) as organic linker, metal ions clusters Zr (IV) as nodes, and subsequently assembled layer by layer of pectin and chitosan to obtain tebuconazole microcapsules (Tebuc@PCN@P@C). The results showed that the prepared MOFs had loading efficiency of tebuconazole about 30% (w/w), and the obtained stimuli-responsive microcapsules showed adjustable controlled-release characteristics with pectinase in acidity environment. Tebuc@PCN@P@C microcapsules displayed excellent double activities of PDT and microbicide against Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris , Pseudomonas syringae pv. Tomato and Alternaria alternate . Safety evaluation on Chinese cabbage indicated they almost had no any damage to plants. Thus, stimuli-responsive dual-microbicidal MOFs microcapsules were demonstrated a great potential as an efficient delivery system in pesticide formulations.