SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1996
STP11349S

Interactive Surface Chemistry Studies of Methyl Elster Adjuvants and Selected Targets Yield a New Methodology to Guide Formulators

Source

Adjuvants formulation has progressed in an Edisonian fashion. Few guidelines exist to determine which surfactants and solvents should be combined to give a high performance adjuvant. Surface chemistry has a pronounced effect on the adjuvant’s delivery of active via wetting and spreading, and emulsion stability upon dilution of the concentrated adjuvant. The surface chemical properties of the foliage substrate also have an effect on delivery. Certain surfactants interact synergistically to improve wetting and emulsion stability. This paper presents surface chemical data on methyl ester adjuvants and surfactants. The data has been obtained through the use of advanced testing methods such as the Owens-Wendt analysis and the Beta(β)-parameter technique. This information can be used to guide formulation in a quantitative fashion to make better adjuvant concentrates yielding more efficacious results. Instead of randomly selecting surfactants, ones that interact synergistically (verified through β-parameter calculation and simple surface chemical experimentation) can be tested. Surfactants that interact antagonistically should not be tested. Also, surfactants with the requisite total, polar and dispersive surface energies relative to the substrate are selected for early evaluation.

Author Information

Klima, RF
Henkel Corporation Research, Ambler, PA
Garst, RH
Agricultural Specialties, Henkel Corporation, Cincinnati, OH
Price: $25.00
Contact Sales
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Developed by Committee: E35
Pages: 167–181
DOI: 10.1520/STP11349S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5346-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-2035-8