Microcapsule Agroformulation with Sulfonate and Codispersant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agroformulations of pesticidal microcapsules face challenges in identifying new formulations with improved properties for effective control of phytopathogenic fungi, undesired plant growth, and insect or mite attacks, as well as plant growth regulation.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous composition comprising microcapsules with a shell and core, where the core contains a pesticide and a sulfonate selected from lignosulfonate or naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate, along with a codispersant of a specific formula, is synthesized in the aqueous phase to enhance encapsulation efficiency and release properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional dispersants are used in microcapsule formulations, then formulation stability is improved, but microcapsule size control and encapsulation efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a sulfonate (lignosulfonate or naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate) with a codispersant (alkyl polyglucoside or alkyl polyether) to create a composite dispersant system. This composite approach allows the sulfonate to provide formulation stability while the codispersant contributes to microcapsule size control and encapsulation efficiency, resolving the contradiction between stability and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameter ranges: sulfonate at 0.1-5 wt%, codispersant at 0.05-3 wt%, with a weight ratio of sulfonate to codispersant between 2:1 and 1:2. These parameter adjustments enable simultaneous achievement of formulation stability and microcapsule size control.
2Manufacturing precision
If microcapsule size is reduced to improve encapsulation efficiency, then encapsulation efficiency is improved, but formulation stability and handling properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The composite dispersant system of sulfonate plus codispersant enables small microcapsule sizes (D50: 5-20 μm) while maintaining formulation stability. The sulfonate provides steric stabilization preventing aggregation of small microcapsules, while the codispersant ensures uniform size distribution and high encapsulation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
By adjusting the concentration ratio of sulfonate to codispersant (2:1 to 1:2) and optimizing individual concentrations (sulfonate: 0.1-5 wt%, codispersant: 0.05-3 wt%), the patent achieves small microcapsule sizes with maintained formulation stability and improved handling properties.
3Reliability
If new formulation components are added to improve pest control efficacy, then pest control efficacy is improved, but formulation complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite dispersant system where sulfonate and codispersant work synergistically. This composite approach improves pest control efficacy through better microcapsule performance while keeping the formulation relatively simple with only two key additive components and straightforward manufacturing steps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition achieves efficient encapsulation of pesticides with small microcapsule sizes and controlled release, improving the efficacy of pest control and plant growth regulation.
Implementation Method 1
aqueous composition comprising in the aqueous phase microcapsules... sulfonate... and a codispersant
Implementation Method 2
sulfonate selected from lignosulfonate, naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate... and a codispersant of the formula (I)
Implementation Method 3
microcapsules, which comprise a shell and a core, where the core contains a pesticide
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an aqueous composition comprising in the aqueous phase mi¬ crocapsules, which comprise a shell and a core, where the core contains a pesticide; sulfonate; and a codispersant of the formula (I) as defined below. The invention further relates to a method of preparing said composition by synthesizing the microcapsules in the aqueous phase in the presence of the sulfonate and the codispersant. Finally, the invention relates to a method of controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired plant growth and/or undesired insect or mite attack and/or for regulating the growth of plants, wherein said composition is allowed to act on the respective pests, their environment or the crop plants to be protected from the respective pest, on the soil and/or on undesired plants and/or on the crop plants and/or on their environ¬ ment; and to seed containing said composition.