Modulation of the Morphological Architecture of Mn₂O₃ Nanoparticles to MnCoO Nanoflakes by Loading Co³⁺ Via a Co-Precipitation Approach for Mosquitocidal Development

Abstract

The spread of many infectious diseases by vectors is a globally severe issue. Climate change and the increase of vector resistance are the primary sources of rising mosquito populations. Therefore, advanced approaches are needed to prevent the dispersal of life-threatening diseases. Herein, Mn2O3 NPs and MnCoO nanocomposites were presented as mosquitocidal agents. The synthesized samples were prepared by a co-precipitation route and characterized using different techniques indicating the change of host Mn2O3 structure to 2D MnCoO nanoflakes with Co3+ integration. The thermal decomposition of the nanoparticles was examined by TGA analysis, showing high stability. The energy gap (Eg) of Mn2O3 was estimated within the visible spectrum of the value 2.95 eV, which reduced to 2.80 eV with doping support. The impact of Mn2O3 and MnCoO on immature stages was investigated by semithin photomicrographs exhibiting significant changes in the midgut, fat tissue and muscles of the third larval instar. Moreover, the external deformations in pupae were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Keywords

• Mn₂O₃ nanocubes
• MnCoO nanoflakes
• energy gap
• <i>Culex pipiens</i>
• larvicidal
• pupicidal