Starch-based hydrogel loading with carbendazim for controlled-release and water absorption

Starch, with properties of eco-friendliness and abundance, is one of the most important natural polymers. Starch-based hydrogels were investigated as carriers of carbendazim to combine controlled-release and water absorption (WA). Three carbendazim-loaded hydrogels (CLHs) with different WA capacities were prepared by solution polymerization. The CLHs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and liquid-chromatography mass-spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Release kinetics of CLHs was investigated using 14C-labeling method. The diffusion parameters of CLHs were 0.47, 0.57 and 0.81 in deionized H2O (ddH2O). WA affected release profile significantly, the release longevity reaching 240 h when WA was 800 g/g in ddH2O. Solution pH influenced release profiles and the lowest release rate occurred in the lowest pH. Addition of CLH (1.3 g/kg soil) markedly increased water-holding capacity (WHC) of soil by 8.2%. The study indicated that starch-based CLH was a good controlled-release agent for carbendazim and water absorbent for soil.