Xanthan gum plays an important role in the insecticide industry.
Applications
- As a thickener and stabilizer: Xanthan gum has excellent thickening and stabilizing properties. In insecticide formulations, especially in water - based insecticide formulations such as suspension concentrates and emulsions, it can increase the viscosity of the formulation, prevent the settlement of insecticide active ingredients and other components, and keep them in a stable suspended state. This is beneficial to the uniform distribution of insecticides during use, improving the effectiveness of insecticide spraying.
- Controlling the rheological properties of insecticide formulations: Xanthan gum can control the rheological properties of insecticide formulations. By adjusting the addition amount of xanthan gum, the viscosity, yield value and flow behavior index of the insecticide formulation can be changed, so that the formulation has better fluidity and thixotropy. For example, in some high - concentration insecticide suspension concentrates, an appropriate amount of xanthan gum can make the formulation easily flow during spraying and at the same time maintain a certain shape after being applied to the surface of crops, reducing the loss of insecticides.
- As an evaporation retardant: In some insecticide formulations, xanthan gum can be used as an evaporation retardant. It can form a thin film on the surface of the insecticide, reducing the evaporation rate of the solvent in the insecticide, prolonging the retention time of the insecticide on the surface of crops, and thus improving the effectiveness of the insecticide.
Addition Levels
The addition amount of xanthan gum in the insecticide industry varies according to specific formulation types and product requirements. Generally, for common water - based insecticide suspension concentrates and emulsions, the addition amount of xanthan gum is usually in the range of 0.1% - 0.3%. However, in some special high - concentration insecticide formulations or formulations with specific rheological property requirements, the addition amount of xanthan gum may be adjusted accordingly. For example, in the preparation of 600g/L imidacloprid water suspension concentrate, the addition amount of xanthan gum can be as high as 4% to obtain a formulation with good rheological properties and stability. In addition, in some insecticide formulations where xanthan gum is used as an evaporation retardant, the addition amount may be relatively small, generally between 0.01% and 0.1%.