The preparation of prochloraz pH-responsive nanocapsules by the Pickering emulsion polymerization method and the study of their performance

Abstract

In this work, prochloraz pH-responsive nanocapsules were developed by the Pickering emulsion polymerization method with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) as the reaction monomer and nano Fe₃O₄ particle-branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) as the reaction monomer and surfactant. The physical and chemical properties and sustained release properties were determined by a transmission electron microscope (TEM), field emission transmission electron microscope (FETEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), laser particle size analyzer, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, and contact angle tester. The results indicated that the prochloraz nanocapsules were spherical, the average particle size was about 100 nm, and the encapsulation efficiency and loading rates were 86% and 30%, respectively. The nanocapsules tended to expand in acidic solutions, and this promoted the release of prochloraz more quickly, which could be verified by the biological test of anthrax. At the same time, the prochloraz nanocapsules can protect the pesticide from sunlight. Therefore, this work provides a promising approach to improve the utilization efficiency and prolong the duration of pesticides, which might have a huge potential application prospect.