PFI:AIR - TT: Development of Agrochemical Formulations Based on Multi-functional Lignopolymer Dispersants

该PFI：AIR技术转化项目的重点是转化聚合物接枝木质素表面活性剂，以满足对生物基农药分散剂的需求，从而提高其有效性。聚合物接枝的木质素表面活性剂是重要的，因为农药制剂通常含有大量添加的合成聚合物和表面活性剂，其稳定制剂并增加农药活性。然而，这些物质通常来自石油，可能对授粉者以及土壤和水生态产生负面影响。该项目将产生一种植物衍生的分散剂，具有更好的可持续性和生物相容性，可以取代商业农药制剂的多种成分。这种聚合物接枝的木质素具有以下独特的特征：它是一种高效的分散剂，它可以提高农药通过植物表面的渗透，并且它是生物相容性和可生物降解的。这些特性使其能够取代商业农药制剂的多种成分，从而节省成本，增加活性成分的负载，并降低环境毒性。该项目解决了从研究发现到商业应用的以下技术差距。来自生物质的多功能分散剂可以提高农用化学品的可持续性，既可以减少对石油原料的依赖，也可以减少复杂农药制剂的生态影响。聚合物接枝的木质素既能稳定悬浮液，又能增强通过植物角质层的渗透，在项目期间要解决的挑战是在商业农药的测试配方中利用这些活性，这些活性将在各种杂草的对照研究中进行评估。此外，参与该项目的博士生将通过领导这些配方的开发并将其与基于主要商业分散剂的配方进行比较来获得技术翻译经验。该项目与普渡大学Bryan Young教授的实验室合作，对这项技术转化工作中开发的配方进行温室测试，从研究发现到商业现实，对聚合物接枝木质素的影响进行关键评估。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating polymer-grafted lignin surfactants to fill the need for biobased pesticide dispersants that promote their effectiveness. Polymer-grafted lignin surfactants are important because pesticide formulations often contain large amounts of added synthetic polymers and surfactants, which stabilize the formulation and increase the pesticide activity. However, these are generally derived from petroleum and can have negative impacts on pollinators as well as soil and water ecology. This project will result in a plant-derived dispersant with improved sustainability and biocompatibility that can replace multiple components of commercial pesticide formulations. This polymer-grafted lignin has the following unique features: it is a highly effective dispersant, it can improve pesticide penetration through plant surfaces, and it is biocompatible and biodegradable. These features allow it to replace multiple components of commercial pesticide formulations, resulting in cost savings, increased loading of active ingredients, and reduced environmental toxicity.This project addresses the following technology gap as it translates from research discovery toward commercial application. Multi-functional dispersants derived from biomass could improve the sustainability of agrochemicals, both in reducing dependence on petroleum feedstocks but also reducing the ecological impact of complex pesticide formulations. Polymer-grafted lignin both stabilizes suspensions but also enhances penetration through plant cuticles, and the challenge that is to be addressed during the project is leveraging these activities in test formulations of commercial pesticides that will be evaluated in controlled studies on a diversity of weeds. In addition, the doctoral student involved in this project will receive technology translation experiences through leading the development of these formulations and comparing them to those based on leading commercial dispersants. The project engages the lab of Prof. Bryan Young at Purdue University to perform greenhouse tests of the formulations developed in this technology translation effort from research discovery toward commercial reality, providing critical evaluations of the effects of polymer-grafted lignin.