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. 2024 Jan 22;9(5):5406-5417.
doi: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06753. eCollection 2024 Feb 6.

Novel Aphid-Repellent Fiber Mats Based on Poly(lactic acid)-Containing Ionic Liquids

Claudia Merlini  1   2 , Virginie Lacotte  2   3 , Vanessa Oliveira Castro  4   2 , Gabriel Perli  2 , Pedro da Silva  3 , Sébastien Livi  2
Affiliations

Novel Aphid-Repellent Fiber Mats Based on Poly(lactic acid)-Containing Ionic Liquids

Claudia Merlini et al. ACS Omega. .

Abstract

To protect crops as well as human and animal health, the development of novel repellents based on biopolymers is critical for a growing world population. Here, novel aphid-repellent electrospun mats containing epoxidized ionic liquids (ILs) covalently bonded to the carboxyl or hydroxyl groups of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were designed to produce nonwoven mats. First, di-, tri-, and tetra-epoxidized imidazolium ILs were synthesized and incorporated in different weight fractions (3, 5, and 10 wt %) into the PLA solution. Then, the effect of ILs' microstructure, thermal properties, mechanical performance, and hydrophobic behavior were investigated. It was found that the incorporation of ILs resulted in a reduction of the fiber diameters while the mechanical properties of the mats, i.e., the three-dimensional fibrous porous structure, were maintained. Finally, the effect of these three ILs against the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) was evaluated for the first time, showing an attractive effect for the diepoxidized IL and a repellent effect for the tri- and tetra-epoxidized ILs. By exploiting the chemical nature of ILs, an environmentally friendly strategy can be developed to limit the need for chemical pesticides and petroleum-based polymers.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Illustrative overview of the development of repellent PLA-fiber mats using ILs.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chemical structures of (a) di-, (b) tri-, and (c) tetra-epoxidized ILs.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Device of the insect-repellent choice test. Pea aphid nymphs (N1) have 24 h to choose between the control side with a PLA mat or the treatment side with a PLA/IL mat and to settle on the artificial diet. Figure reproduced from Lacotte et al. with permission from Elsevier, copyright 2023.
Figure 4
Figure 4
SEM micrographs of neat PLA and PLA electrospun mats containing 3, 5, and 10 wt % di-, tri-, and tetra-epoxidized ILs.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Fiber distribution of PLA and PLA/IL electrospun mats.
Figure 6
Figure 6
DSC curves (2nd heating) of PLA with different ILs: (a) di-, (b) tri-, and (c) tetra-epoxidized.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Contact angle of the electrospun mats of PLA and PLA/ILs with water.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Mechanical property of PLA and PLA/IL electrospun mats. (a) Strain, (b) tensile strength at break, and (c) Young’s modulus.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Repellent activity of epoxidized ionic liquids (ILs) on the pea aphid after 24 h in a two-choice test between samples of PLA on the control side and PLA/IL on the treatment side. Comparison of proportion of aphids settled on each side using a Chi2 statistical test (P ≥ 0.05), with letters assigned according to significant differences.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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