| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4514430 | Industrial Crops and Products | 2012 | 7 Pages |
A nano-emulsion system was developed for pesticide formulation. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed consisting emulsion system of long-chain fatty acid methyl esters (LFAMEs)/mixed surfactant/water and a quarternary component, glyphosate isopropylamine (IPA) as a herbicide active. Isotropic (L) regions were formed in the phase diagrams using mixed surfactant long-chain alkylpolyglucosides (LAPG) and ethoxylated 3-(3-hydroxypropyl)-heptamethyltrisiloxane (organosilicone) at the ratios of 9:1, 8:2 and 7:3. Pre-formulation concentrates were chosen from the L regions with less than 20% (w/w) of inerts (LFAMEs + mixed surfactant) and were characterized with regard to particle size, particle aging rate and thermostability study. A pre-formulation concentrate with the lowest aging rate and stable at high temperature (54 °C) was selected for the mechanisms study of the pre-formulation concentrate in conjunction with the development of nano-emulsion formulation. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) result showed that the pre-formulation concentrate appeared as a polymerized multi-connected network. Upon water dilution of the pre-formulation concentrate with gentle stirring (low-energy emulsification method), well-dispersed nanoparticles were formed with no needle structure being observed. The nano-emulsion particles were incorporated well with the glyphosate IPA thus inferring that this nano-emulsion system could ameliorate the bioactivity and bioavailability of the herbicide.
Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Phase behaviour and physicochemical characteristics of pre-formulation concentrate. ► Development of nano-emulsion formulation using low-energy emulsification. ► Formation mechanisms of the nano-emulsion formulation. ► Well-incorporated of the nano-emulsion with glyphosate IPA.
