Synthesis and Characterization of Imidacloprid/Hydrotalcite-like Compound Nanohybrids

Hydrotalcite-like compounds (HTlc) were first modified by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), then the intercalation of imidacloprid (IM) into modified HTlc was carried out in mixed solvent of toluene/ethanol by an evaporating solvent enhanced intercalation method, obtaining IM-SDS-HTlc nanohybrids. It was found that the nanohybrids could well control the release of imidacloprid, demonstrating that the nanohybrids are a potential pesticide controlled-release formulation. The release of imidacloprid from IM-SDS-HTlc nanohybrids is dependent on the pH and the presence of electrolyte in release medium. Acidic medium and the presence of electrolytes induce the higher release rate of imidacloprid. The release process of imidacloprid from IM-SDS-HTlc nanohybrids can be described by pseudo-second-order release kinetics.