Fe-pillared clay mineral-based formulations of imazaquin for reduced leaching in soil

Slow release formulations of the herbicide imazaquin (2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)quinoline-3-carboxylic acid) were prepared by its adsorption on Fe-pillared clay minerals (Fe PILCs). Fe PILCs were synthesized by the reaction of Na+-montmorillonite (SWy-2) with base-hydrolyzed solutions of Fe and Al. The Fe/(Fe + Al) ratios used were 0, 0.05, 0.15 and 0.50. Fe PILCs showed basal spacing values of 5.2 and 1.8 nm which were due to iron clusters between delaminated clay layers, and intercalated aluminum polyoxocations, respectively. As iron content increased, the pillaring process yielded PILC with lower microporosity and larger mesoporosity. The affinity of imazaquin on Fe PILCs was very high relative to Al PILC, as revealed in its higher herbicide adsorption values and lower desorption percents. Competitive adsorption of anions such as sulfate, phosphate and chloride provided evidence of formation of inner sphere complexes of imazaquin on Fe PILCs. Slow release formulations were prepared by enhanced adsorption of the herbicide from imazaquin–cyclodextrin (CD) complexes in solution. CDs were able to enhance up to 8.5-fold the solubility of imazaquin, by the formation of inclusion complexes where the quinolinic moiety of the herbicide was partially trapped within the CD cavity. Release of the herbicide in sandy soil was about 1/2-fold lower from Fe PILC formulations relative to the commercial formulation.