Chemical Engineering Journal，2026.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2026.173664

Abstract

Micro/nanofiber-based agricultural pest repellent carriers are promising alternatives to pesticides. Nevertheless, current micro/nanofibers have drawbacks such as insufficient stress resistance and poor field stability, requiring further technological iteration and optimization. In this study, an effective repellent formulation composed of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol and 1,8-cineole derived from plants was developed to target adult Holotrichia oblita (beetle). Subsequently, the repellents mixed with polyethylene oxide (PEO) were encapsulated into core-shell micro/nanofiber mats (R-FMs) fabricated via coaxial electrospinning. The shell of the fibers was made from biodegradable and highly hydrophobic polymers, polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL), and was doped with 1% (w/v) of the ultraviolet absorber UV-327. The components within the core-shell spinning solution manifested chemical compatibility, and the spinning solution presented favorable spinnability. The encapsulation efficiencies of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol and 1,8-cineole in R-FMs attained 75.10% and 67.17%, respectively, and R-FMs effectively alleviated the initial burst release of the repellents. Indoor behavioral bioassays indicated that the repellent activity of R-FMs against male and female beetles endured for at least 60 days. Furthermore, R-FMs displayed good physicochemical properties, especially in UV resistant and water resistance. Additionally, R-FMs demonstrated better repellent efficacy compared to commercial slow-release bottles in field applications and, notably, exhibited high biodegradability in soil. The integrated multifunctional R-FMs enable efficient encapsulation and protection of plant-derived repellents, achieving sustained repellency against both sexes of the notorious agricultural pest H. oblita. This work presents an ingenious and sustainable alternative to traditional carriers, contributing to the enrichment of green inputs in agricultural production.

Chemical Engineering Journal，IF=13.2

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S138589472601123X