BACKGROUND Stimuli‐responsive pesticide controlled release system provides a new strategy for the development of high‐efficiency pesticides formulation. RESULTS In this article, we report a novel polydopamine surface modified MXene‐Ti3C2Tx nanocarrier for pesticide delivery and plant protection. Polydopamine modified Ti3C2Tx (PDA@Ti3C2Tx) nanocarrier was prepared by biomimetic self‐polymerization of dopamine on the surface of Ti3C2Tx. A typical pesticide, emamectin benzoate (EB), was loaded on PDA@Ti3C2Tx through physisorption process, with a high pesticide loading rate of 45.37%. PDA@Ti3C2Tx exhibited excellent photothermal conversion effect (η = 34.5%). Under the irradiation of near‐infrared (NIR) laser, EB would sustained release from PDA@Ti3C2Tx nanocarrier to surrounding medium. Compared with free EB, EB@PDA@Ti3C2Tx exhibited prolonged persistence period, which can keep antipest activity at 14 days post spraying. In addition, PDA@Ti3C2Tx nanocarrier and EB@PDA@Ti3C2Tx nanoformulation are of good safety, showing no side effect to the seed germination and seedling growth. CONCLUSION This research developed a novel nanocarrier for water‐insoluble pesticide delivery, realizing NIR‐responsive controlled release and sustained antipest activity. Synthesis of EB@PDA@Ti3C2Tx nanoformulation and its application for near‐infrared (NIR)‐responsive pesticide release and sustained pest control. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.