Controlled
release of pesticides by light regulation is one of
the most viable strategies recently developed for the highly efficient
utilization of agrochemicals. Herein, we report an infrared-light-responsive
pesticide delivery system for the controlled release of imidacloprid
(IMI) by preparation of functional hollow carbon microspheres (HCMs).
After IMI loading and surface functionalization with polyethylene
glycol (PEG) and α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), IMI was sequestered
in the pesticide system (denoted as HCMs/IMI/PEG/α-CD) as a
result of the formation of a PEG/α-CD gel network. Upon the
irradiation of infrared light, HCMs with high photothermal conversion
efficiency (42.8%) raised the local temperature effectively, leading
to the collapse of the gel network and the release of IMI. In comparison
to the amount of pesticide release (29%) under sunlight, it could
reach 77% driven by infrared light, which was an intriguing improvement.
Consequently, HCMs/IMI/PEG/α-CD under infrared light showed
significantly higher pest control efficacy on corn borers by 125%
than itself alone. This work provides a promising method to intentionally
regulate pesticide release and enhance utilization efficiency.