| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 607980 | Journal of Colloid and Interface Science | 2012 | 11 Pages |
Effective plant protection agents are readily available and well implemented in industry. However, delivery to the plant and application on the leaf are processes that still need to be optimized. Up to now plant protection formulations represent either emulsion or suspension concentrates that often contain environmentally harmful organic solvents and/or adjuvants. Emulsified microemulsions are hierarchically organized systems comprising emulsion droplets that confine a water-in-oil microemulsion. In the present contribution we show that emulsified microemulsions prepared from environmentally friendly components can be loaded with the plant-protection agent Fenpropimorph® up to 48 wt.% without organic solvent. The emulsion itself is highly concentrated, containing 60 wt.% of dispersed phase, and can be readily diluted with water for spraying in farming applications. Small-angle X-ray measurements reveal the existence of a water-in-Fenpropimorph® microemulsion confined inside the emulsion droplets. Dynamic light scattering shows that the emulsions prepared are monomodal, comprising droplet radii in the hundred nanometer range.
Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (72 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Readily dilutable, environmentally-friendly plant protection formulation. ► Highly concentrated formulations loaded with 48 wt.% of plant protection agent. ► Kinetically stabilized emulsion drops enclosing a water-in-oil type microemulsion. ► Greenhouse tests proofed effectiveness of the plant protection formulation.
