The Synthesis of Nonionic Hyperbranched Organosilicone Surfactant and Characterization of Its Wetting Ability

In this research, the epoxy silicone oil and self-made hydroxyl-terminated hyperbranched polymer (HBP-OH) were used to synthesis the nonionic hyperbranched organosilicone surfactant (NHSi). The molar rate of hydroxyl groups of HBP-OH and epoxy groups of epoxy silicon oil (n-OH: n-epoxy) was adjusted from 5:1~60:1 to prepare a series of NHSi. The Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), contact angle measuring instrument, surface tensiometer and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) were employed to characterize the structure and property of HBP-OH and NHSi. GPC analysis indicated that the Mn of HBP-OH was 340.5. FT-IR analysis showed that with the increase of molar rate of n-OH:n-epoxy, the peak intensity of –OH increased. The prepared NHSi was then used to prepare the water solution. The lowest surface tension of NHSi solution was 24.71 mN·m−1 when the n-OH:n-epoxy was 30:1 in the preparation process. The minimum water contact angle of waterborne polyurethane (WPU) emulsion by adding 2% of NHSi was 14.85° on the surface of glass. The wetting experiments showed that the NHSi has good wetting ability to fixed sea-island superfine fiber synthetic material.

Role of organosilicone surfactant in apple scab control under scab conducive weather conditions

Fungicides of integrated fruit production (dithianon, captan, and diclofluanid) and an organosilicone surfactant were compared in spray schedules from green tip until summer in order to control apple scab caused by Venturia inaequalis and to evaluate their phytotoxicity on fruit. Sixteen sprays of 1.8 kg ha-1captan, 0.41 ha-1 dithianon, and 1.8 kg ha-1 diclolfluanid significantly (P=0.05) reduced the incidence of leaf or fruit scab compared to unsprayed products. All fungicides applied with organosilicone at 0.1% resulted in lower incidence of scab on young and older leaves as well as on harvested fruit, but these were not statistically always better than fungicides applied alone. In case of diclofluanid, the fungicide applied with organosilicone at 0.1% resulted in significantly lower (P = 0.001) incidence of scab on young and older leaves. Diclofluanid applied with organosilicone at 0.1% gave the best scab control on leaf and fruit. Treatments applied with fungicides alone had no significant effect on plant phytotoxicity compared to untreated control. All fungicides applied with organosilicone at 0.1% increased (P = 0.05) fruit damage compared to untreated control or fungicide applied alone, though these were not always significantly different. In case of percentage of fruit russet, treatment of dithianon 0.4 1/ha + 0.1% organosilicone significantly increased fruit russet, while fruit russet index significantly increased in the treatment of diclofluanid 1.8 kg/ha + 0.1% organosilicone compared to untreated control. In sum, application of surfactants can help to increase efficacy of scab fungicides; and consequently, to reduce the risk of fungus infection under high scab disease pressure. This fact may also be helpful in fungicide resistance management and reduced-spray programs with accurate scab warning systems.

Influence of sugars on the foliar uptake of bentazone and glyphosate

The effect of sugars on the uptake of bentazone and glyphosate into bean (Vicia faba) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) foliage was studied The addition of 05 glucose or sucrose significantly increased the uptake of bentazone into bean and wheat leaves This effect was also observed in the presence of a surfactant especially in wheat Glucose and sucrose also improved the uptake of glyphosate into wheat leaves especially in combination with surfactants of low ethylene oxide content When used at 2 concentration both sugars completely overcame the antagonistic effect of an organosilicone surfactant (Silwet L77) on glyphosate uptake into wheat leaves The results are discussed in relation to the solute dose on the leaf surface as influenced by surfactants and sugars