Preparation and application performance of lignin-polyurea composite microcapsule with controlled release of avermectin

Pickering emulsion stabilized by lignin/sodium dodecyl sulfate composite nanoparticles (LSNP) was used as template to prepare the avermectin @ lignin/polyurea composite microcapsules (AVM@LPMC) through ion cross-linking and interfacial polymerization. The inner wall of the microcapsules is a firm and compact polyurea layer, and the outer wall is a loose lignin layer. The effects of stirring speed, dosage of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and pH value in aqueous phase on the formation of microcapsules were systematically studied. The results showed that the optimal stirring speed was 200 rpm, and the optimal dosage ratio in water phase was HCl (mmol):SDS (mmol):lignin AL (g) = 0.375:1.25:1 in fixed oil-water ratio (1:9) and oil phase composition. In this way, the encapsulation efficiency of microcapsules could reach up to 85.4%, while it would slightly decrease with the increase of lignin content in the wall materials. The polyurea layer played a key role in supporting the spherical structure of the capsule wall and delaying the release of avermectin, while the loose lignin layer contributed less to the slow release performance of microcapsule. By changing the amount of lignin, the polyurea-layer thickness could be regulated to adjust the release rate of microcapsule. Remarkably, a small amount of lignin introduced in the wall material could significantly improve the anti-photolysis performance of avermectin in microcapsules.