Abstract:
To improve the utilization efficiency of pyraclostrobin (Pyr), a temperature-sensitive pyraclostrobin microcapsule was successfully prepared using an interfacial polymerization method based on an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion template. The microcapsule consisted of a mixed core of Pyr and eicosane, with a polyurethane shell formed by the polymerization of isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and polyethylene glycol (PEG-400). The morphology, structure, and thermal stability of the microcapsules were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effects of different Pyr dosages on the encapsulation efficiency and drug loading capacity of the synthesized microcapsules were evaluated using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), and
in vitro temperature-responsive release capability of the prepared microcapsules was tested. The results showed that the prepared microcapsules exhibited a smooth and uniform surface, with an average size of 7.01 μm. The optimal encapsulation efficiency reached 76.42%, with a drug loading capacity of 22.72%.
In vitro release tests demonstrated that the microcapsules exhibited thermally responsive controlled-release properties, releasing Pyr slowly at low temperatures (<34.5 ℃) and significantly accelerating the release rate at high temperatures (>34.5 ℃). The release kinetics followed a first-order kinetic model.The study confirmed that the incorporation of phase-change materials effectively enabled the temperature-responsive release of Pyr. This intelligent controlled-release pesticide formulation provides a promising solution for sustainable agriculture.