Advanced Agrochemical Delivery via Hybrid Nanoparticle-Cocrystal Systems (AgroNanCo)

The controlled use of agrochemicals, such as fertilizers and pesticides, is a major priority in the new Horizon Europe programme due to their environmental impact on water and soil pollution. Substrates with high loading capacity and controlled release ability have been proposed as agrochemical delivery systems. However, a significant issue with these strategies is the low aqueous solubility of some active agents, which limits their loading capacity. Among other technologies, crystal engineering has emerged as a powerful tool to modify the properties of active molecules through cocrystallization strategies, which is a feasible approach to improve the solubility of agrochemicals and increase their loading capacity in the substrate. The main objective of the Advanced Agrochemical Delivery via Hybrid Nanoparticle-Cocrystal Systems (AgroNanCo) project is to develop innovative and low-cost multicomponent materials with high loading capacity that enable the controlled release of agrochemicals with low aqueous solubility. Dr Acebedo proposes a novel strategy to combine the use of agrochemical cocrystals with inorganic substrates, mainly of Hydroxyapatite and Calcium Carbonate nanoparticles (NPs), thus creating hybrid multicomponent materials that exploit the advantages of both. This approach aims to enhance the solubility of agrochemicals via cocrystallization, allowing for higher concentrations in solution and greater loading capacities, while the NPs will act as a delivery system, allowing for local action and controlling the release of the agent, helping to mitigate environmental contamination. Additionally, Dr Acebedo will derive NPs from biomass waste materials produced in the fishing industry, such as fish bones and mollusc shells, providing a sustainable solution for waste management and supporting the principles of the circular economy by effectively repurposing fishing industry waste and reducing the environmental impact.