SEDL / STP / STP1234-EB / STP13018S

The influence of pH on the Performance of Organosilicone Surfactants

Policello, GA
OSi SPECIALTIES Inc., Tarrytown, NY

Stevens, PJG
Forest Research Institute, Rotorua,

Forster, WA
Forest Research Institute, Rotorua,

Murphy, GJ
OSi SPECIALTIES Inc., Tarrytown, NY

Pages: 5    Published: Jan 1995

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Abstract

Trisiloxane based spreading agents are a unique class of surfactants that enhance spray coverage and, in many cases, increase the uptake of agrochemicals into plant tissue through stomatal flooding. The degree of uptake is closely related to the spreading ability of these surfactants. Solution pH is a key influence on the performance of trisiloxanes. These materials undergo rapid hydrolysis at extremes in pH, and therefore show a marked decrease in spreading and uptake of chemicals into leaf tissue. Buffering solutions of the trisiloxane surfactants to a neutral pH increases their hydrolytic stability from hours to > 2 years.