TY - EJOU AU - Luo, Yu AU - Zong, Mengna AU - Wang, Jin AU - Wang, Xuechun AU - Bai, Bo AU - Zhou, Chunyu AU - Zhu, Junlin AU - Xing, Jianyu AU - Jr, Moses M. C. Carlon TI - Synthesis and Characterization of Photothermal Responded Chitosan/Nanodiamond-Based Composite Beads with Enhanced Control Release Properties T2 - Journal of Polymer Materials PY - 2024 VL - 41 IS - 2 SN - 0976-3449 AB - In this research, we developed a novel photo-stimulation-responsive composite sphere with a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) structure, synthesized via an alkali gel method, to enhance the efficiency of agrochemicals. Chitosan (CS) serves as the structural matrix and protective shell, with a loading capacity for the plant growth hormone indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) of up to 41.73 μg/mg, effectively controlling the abrupt release of auxin. The incorporation of photothermal detonation nanodiamond (DND) and the photosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) endows the spheres with the ability to respond to light and temperature stimuli, achieving intelligent control over IBA release. Characterization of the composite spheres was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Detailed discussions on the photothermal conversion and controlled release properties of the beads unveiled a novel mechanism by which photothermal reactions control drug release. At elevated temperatures, the cumulative release rate of IBA notably increased to 40.4%. Furthermore, pea growth under xenon lamp-simulated sunlight demonstrated significant enhancements in root (2.86 cm) and stem (2.19 cm) length following the application of the system. This study presents an innovative approach for modern agriculture, with promising implications for precision farming and environmental conservation. KW - Nanodiamond; photothermal conversion; controlled-release; auxin; indole-3-butyric acid DO - 10.32604/jpm.2024.054660