Effects of association between polymers and surfactant systems (in a model agrochemical mixture) on liquid physical properties and spray drift were investigated. Physical properties of polymer/associative [Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)] and polymer/non-associative [PEO/Tween20] surfactant systems were compared. Both systems were characterized by dynamic surface tension, shear rheometry and capillary break-up extensional rheometry. Droplet size and spray drift were also measured. Results showed that associative and non-associative surfactants perform differently in terms of their capacity to affect solution properties. Drift was effectively reduced at SDS concentrations over the critical micelle concentration, which was not the case for the Tween20 system. The dynamics of extension were found to be the dominant factor impacting drift. Drift reduction of the PEO/SDS system strongly correlated with liquid physical properties, which was not the case for the PEO/Tween20 system. This study illustrates the potential for using associative polymer/surfactant systems as spray adjuvants when drift is of primary concern.

Effect of interaction in polymer-surfactant systems on spray drift

248th National Meeting (2014)

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