Abstract BACKGROUND Additives are essential components to maintain the stability of pesticide formulations, ensuring effectiveness and safety in field application. Nevertheless, numerous additives in pesticide formulations are a severe threat to the ecological environment. RESULTS Herein, an amphiphilic polymer C 18 ‐modified poly (acrylic acid) (P(AA/C 18 )) with biocompatibility was synthesized by modification of poly (acrylic acid) in the presence of octadecylamine to elaborate pyraclostrobin (PYR) emulsion. The effects of the preparation process and loading content on the stability of emulsion using P(AA/C 18 ) were systematically investigated compared with five commercial surfactants. The results showed that 20% PYR could be stably loaded by only 1% P(AA/C 18 ), which provided a feasible method for industrial development while mitigating the effects on the environment. The possible mechanism of stability was verified by a series of means, such as cryogenic scanning electron microscopy, and inspired by Stokes law and Derjaguin‐Landau‐Verwey‐Overbeek (DLVO) theory that electrical double layer and interfacial film with toughness and strength at the oil–water interface could form by the unique chemical structure of P(AA/C 18 ), preventing Ostwald ripening and coalescence. More interesting, the stability of the emulsion could be regulated regarding tunable rheological properties driven with concentrations including P(AA/C 18 ) and PYR in formulation. Moreover, the enhancement of photodegradation stability and an increase in zebrafish safety were proved. CONCLUSION This simple technology is effective to develop pesticide formulations satisfying high stability while mitigating adverse effects on environment, and P(AA/C 18 ) would be a promising polymeric carrier for the highly efficient delivery of pesticides. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
Zhang et al. (2025) studied this question.
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