Synthesis and controlled release properties of β-naphthoxyacetic acid intercalated Mg–Al layered double hydroxides nanohybrids

Controlled release formulations have been proven to have potential in overcoming the drawbacks of conventional plant growth regulators. Novel controlled-release formulation of β-naphthoxyacetic acid (BNOA) intercalated MgAl-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) was prepared by co-precipitation method. The effects of temperature, pH value, and release medium on BNOA release were studied and the releasing mechanisms were discussed. The results of release show that the increase of temperature induces the increase of BNOA release extent. The release rate and accumulated release amount of BNOA are found to be dependent to the anion in the aqueous solution in the order of CO32− > SO42− > Cl−. Moreover, the pH is the key controlling factor for the BNOA release processes, and with strong acid medium, the release character of BNOA is different from those at pH 7 and 12, which accompanies with fast collapse of LDHs nanolayered structure. The nanohybrid of BNOA intercalated LDHs possessed good controlled release properties and the BNOA release character from the nanohybrid fitted pseudo-second-order model in neutral medium.