Controlled release of atrazine from a polyurethane matrix for improved agricultural use

This study investigated the controlled release kinetics of the herbicide atrazine (ATZ) from a polyurethane (PU) matrix. To address the environmental concerns associated with the widespread use of atrazine, particularly its high mobility due to low adsorption and stability, this research evaluated the potential of PU as a matrix for a controlled release system (CRS). The PU/ATZ film was fabricated via the casting method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In vitro release tests were performed to assess the atrazine release profile, employing mathematical models, including Korsmeyer-Peppas and Higuchi, to elucidate the release mechanisms. The findings demonstrated that the PU matrix effectively facilitated controlled release, with approximately 30% of atrazine released over 96 h. The Korsmeyer‒Peppas model yielded the best fit for the release kinetics, indicating that the release mechanism follows Fickian diffusion.