Controlled Release of Atrazine Herbicide From Polymeric Atrazine/Montmorillonite Clay Composites

ABSTRACT Intercalated controlled release systems based on polymer–organoclay composites carrying polymeric atrazine have been prepared in two ways. First is the polycondensation of atrazine with diethyl tartrate then loaded atrazine polymers onto modified montmorillonite clay. The second way is direct polymerization of atrazine and diethyl tartrate in the presence of modified clay. All samples were characterized by numerous analytical techniques. The release of the atrazine herbicide was investigated in aqueous medium at different pH's through 3.5 months. The release from the intercalated compound in the soil takes place within 2 months, while the free atrazine was lost completely through leaching after 4 days. The release findings clearly show that this herbicide has improved persistence and reduced leaching upon intercalation in the interlamellars of the MMT. Also, the degradation residues of these formulations prevent the soil pollution problem arising from the accumulation of the inert polymer residuals in the soil. Therefore, as a result, it is safe to predict prolonged agricultural bioactivity. According to the findings, atrazine was released cumulatively, gradually, and steadily from MMT.