Abstract

This study evaluated the storage and release of repellent pheromones of bees in a mesoporous silica nanostructure. The nanomaterial was synthesized by sol-gel method and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and BET method. The mesoporous nanoparticles presented a surface area of 1084 m²/g, exerting the desired function for the study proposal. The pheromones were loaded in percentages of 10%, 20%, and 40% and the effectiveness of the loads was analyzed by thermogravimetry. Next, the nanosystem release behavior was evaluated, and it was possible to observe that the nanoparticles had a significant influence on the release profile of the pheromones, delaying their release rate. From the evaluation of the release behavior, it was concluded that the mesoporous nanoparticles prolonged the activity of releasing the pheromones remaining with this function for several days.

Keywords:
nanoparticles; mesoporous silica; repellent; bees; controlled release