Controlled release of carboxylic-containing herbicides by starch-g-poly(butyl acrylate)

The use of starch-g-poly(butyl acrylate) as a new material for encapsulating carboxylic-containing herbicides such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid for controlled release was studied. The herbicides were individually encapsulated within the modified starch substrate, which was graft-copolymerized with a small amount of butyl acrylate. The modification of starch induced a hydrophobic behavior in the matrix, made it swell less, and caused the release rate to slow, especially for herbicides with higher water solubility. Therefore, the survival life of the starch products for controlled release could be expected to extend to some extent compared with that of natural starch. Tn addition, the effects of the molecular weight, herbicide content, and particle size on the swellability and release behavior were also investigated. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the herbicides encapsulated within the starch matrix were dispersed in the form of tiny cell. Consequently, the herbicides encapsulated were released through diffusion. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.