Stable Pesticidal Emulsifiable Concentrate Formulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulations face stability issues when combining pesticides with significantly different physical, chemical, or biological properties, such as water-insoluble solids and water-soluble salts, especially when substantial amounts of water are present, leading to potential separation and instability during storage and use.
Innovation Solution
A stable, single-phase EC composition is developed, comprising a major amount of a water-insoluble pesticide (e.g., fluroxypyr or bromoxynil ester) and a minor amount of a water-soluble pesticidal salt (e.g., dicamba salt), combined with a solvent system including a non-aqueous polar solvent and a minor amount of water, along with an emulsifying surfactant system, which forms a cloudy oil-in-water emulsion upon dilution, ensuring stability and homogeneity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water-insoluble pesticides and water-soluble pesticidal salts are combined in EC formulation, then the biological performance and systemicity are improved, but the formulation stability is worsened due to phase separation and component separation
Solution Approach 1:
A non-aqueous polar solvent is introduced as an intermediary substance to bridge the compatibility gap between water-insoluble pesticides and water-soluble pesticidal salts. This solvent acts as a mediator that can dissolve both types of compounds, preventing phase separation and maintaining formulation homogeneity throughout storage and application.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation utilizes controlled parameter changes, specifically maintaining water content below 10% and optimizing the ratio of non-aqueous polar solvent to other components. By controlling these parameters, the formulation achieves stability while still allowing the water-soluble pesticidal salt to remain dissolved without causing phase separation.
2Ease of operation
If substantial amounts of water are present in the EC formulation, then the ease of handling and application is improved, but the formulation stability is worsened due to cream separation and phase inversion
Solution Approach 1:
The water content parameter is strictly controlled to remain below 10% of the total formulation weight. This parameter control prevents the formulation from reaching the threshold where phase inversion and cream separation occur, while still providing sufficient water to dissolve the water-soluble pesticidal salt and maintain ease of handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-aqueous polar solvent serves as a protective intermediary that shields the formulation from the destabilizing effects of water. By limiting water's direct interaction with the oil phase through this intermediary solvent system, the formulation maintains stability even with the presence of water necessary for handling.
3Reliability
If multiple pesticides with different physical and chemical properties are combined, then the biological activity and pest control effectiveness are enhanced, but the formulation complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation establishes specific parameter ranges for combining different pesticides: water-insoluble pesticides at 80-95% weight, water-soluble pesticidal salts at 5-20% weight, and non-aqueous polar solvents at 70-90% of the total solvent content. These parameter specifications simplify manufacturing by providing clear guidelines for formulation preparation while enabling effective multi-pesticide combinations.
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 solution provides a stable, single-phase EC that maintains homogeneity and dispersability, passing heat and cold stability tests, and forms a stable emulsion with an average particle size greater than 10nm, enhancing storage stability and ease of handling, while allowing for effective pest control in crops.
Implementation Method 1
a non-aqueous polar solvent; a major amount of an organic solvent comprising at least one non aqueous polar solvent
Implementation Method 2
an emulsifying surfactant system enabling an oil in water emulsion to be formed when the concentrate formulation is diluted upon addition to water
Implementation Method 3
at least one of an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant and an alkylene oxide surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
Stable, single-phase pesticidal emulsifiable concentrates are provided which comprise (a) a pesticide mixture comprising a major amount of a water-insoluble pesticide and a minor amount of a water-soluble pesticidal salt; (b) a solvent system comprising (i) a major amount of an organic solvent comprising at least one non aqueous polar solvent; and (ii) a minor amount of water; and, optionally, (c) an emulsifying surfactant system enabling an oil in water emulsion to be formed when the concentrate formulation is diluted upon addition to water.