Preparation and characterization of poly(melamine-formaldehyde) microcapsules filled with propisochlor

Abstract

A novel propisochlor microcapsules suspension (CS) was prepared via in-situ polymerization. The preparation of melamine-formaldehyde resin microcapsules containing propisochlor with different ratios of core-shell material was investigated. The synthesized microcapsules were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer, Scanning Electron Microscope, Ultraviolet spectrometry, Thermogravimetric analyses and particle size analyzer. As the ratio of core/shell was 1, the diameter of the prepared microcapsules was the smallest (3.55 µm), while narrowest size distribution (span: 1.19) and the melamine formaldehyde microcapsules possessed the highest encapsulation efficiency (93.26%). The surface of the microcapsules was smooth and the microcapsules had poor adhesion. These microcapsules had compact microstructures and global shapes, which had a good thermal stability and propisochlor could be preserved better in the poly(melamine-formaldehyde) (PMF) microcapsules. These results indicated that the prepared microcapsule had better performance. Additionally, the propisochlor was easily degraded through microorganisms and had a short half-life. The microcapsule suspension of propisochlor hasn’t been researched yet. Therefore, it is significant to prepare microcapsule suspension. The technology of controlled release has effectively prolonged the persistence of active ingredients. More importantly, there is no use of organic solvents in the preparation of microcapsules suspension, which avoided the pollution of solvents to the ecological environment.