The influence of surfactants on the flow behavior of sodium montmorillonite dispersions (2% w/w) was studied for a cationic (cetylpyridinium chloride, CPCl) and an anionic surfactant (sodium dodecylsulfate, SDS). When the dispersion pHs were >3.5 and <7, CPCl concentrations >10−4 M increased the shear stress but the Bingham yield value remained virtually unchanged (τo ≈ 100 mPa). At pH ≈ 7, the shear stress and yield point decreased with increasing CPCl concentration (τo from 430 to 100 mPa). The flow properties of sodium calcium bentonite dispersions were independent of pH and CPCl concentrations ≤ 10−4 M; they increased modestly at higher concentrations. At pH < 4, SDS addition to the sodium montmorillonite dispersions increased the shear stress and yield value to a maximum value (τo = 2100 mPa) at 10−3 M SDS; higher SDS concentrations reduced the shear stress and yield value. At pH > 4, the flow values decreased to a minimum value at 10−2 M SDS (τo from 430 to 50 mPa). The flow of the sodium calcium bentonite dispersions at pH > 4 was independent of SDS concentrations ≤ 10−3 mole/liter; at higher SDS concentrations, the flow values increased more strongly in sodium calcium bentonite than in sodium montmorillonite dispersions.

Surfactants influence the flow behavior of sodium montmorillonite dispersions by their action on the card-house networks in strongly acidic medium and, at higher pH, by the electroviscous effect. At the highest surfactant concentrations without flocculation, the shear stress and yield value are increased by interacting chains of opposed particles.

Addition of the surfactants increases the salt (NaCl) stability of the dispersions because the adsorbed surface active agents influence the counterion distribution between the Stern and the diffuse ionic layer.

Clay minerals find a wide range of application in composites, paints, drilling liquids, cosmetics, and medicine. This article reviews chemical and physical properties of natural and organically modified clay minerals to understand the nanometre-scale structure, surface characteristics, and application in functional materials. The relation between fundamental properties and materials design is emphasized and illustrated by examples. The discussion comprises the following: an overview; surface structure and cation density; solubility and solubility reversal by surface modification; the degree of covalent and ionic bonding represented by atomic charges; the distribution of metal substitution sites; measurements and simulations of interfacial properties at the nanometre scale; self-assembly, packing density, and orientation of alkylammonium surfactants on the clay mineral surface; the density and chain conformation of surfactants in organic interlayer spaces; the free energy of exfoliation in polymer matrices and modifications by tuning the cleavage energy; thermal transitions, diffusion, and optical responses of surfactants on the mineral surface; elastic moduli and bending stability of clay layers; and the adsorption mechanism of peptides onto clay mineral surfaces in aqueous solution. Potential applications in biotechnology and other future uses are described.

The effectiveness of preharvest applications of glyphosate on yellow toadflax was evaluated at five sites in Alberta from 1992 to 1994. At each site, glyphosate at 0.9 to 1.8 kg ae/ha was applied with or without nonionic surfactant and/or ammonium sulfate. Glyphosate at 2.7 kg/ha and glufosinate at 0.6 kg ai/ha were applied without additional adjuvants. The treatments were applied 7 to 10 d before crop harvest, when the majority of the yellow toadflax was in a flowering stage. Eleven to 12 mo after glyphosate application, yellow toadflax density was reduced by more than 80%. In most instances, there was no advantage in increasing the glyphosate rate above 0.9 kg/ha. The addition of nonionic surfactant and/or ammonium sulfate did not enhance glyphosate activity. Glufosinate did not control yellow toadflax in the year following treatment. Barley, canola, and flax yields in the year following applications were significantly higher in all preharvest glyphosate-treated plots than in untreated plots.

Detached leaves and whole plants of quackgrass [Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. # AGRRE] were used to study uptake and translocation of butyl esters of 14C-fluazifop {(±)-2-[4-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl] oxy] phenoxy] propanoic acid}, with or without additional adjuvants. In the absence of adjuvants 3.2% of applied radioactivity entered detached quackgrass leaves by 6 h, and at the end of 24 h, 6.0% had penetrated. The presence of additives increased uptake by leaves significantly. In the presence of the nonionic surfactant Agral (nonyl phenol ethoxylate) at 0.2% (v/v) or the oil-additive Actipron (self-emulsifying adjuvant oil) at 2.0% (v/v), 17.2 and 12.9% of applied radioactivity, respectively, entered the leaves by 24 h. Evidence of dependence of phloem translocation of the radioactivity on source-sink relationships of the plant was obtained in the studies with whole plants. Translocation measured up to 7 days after treatment showed that radioactivity was concentrated in areas such as young developed leaves, young stems, and rhizome apices. Rhizomes appear to be major sinks for the accumulation of radioactivity and at 7 days 0.5% of applied radioactivity was found there. In wholeplant experiments the two adjuvants either individually or in mixture increased the uptake of 14C-fluazifop significantly. However, a corresponding increase in basipetal translocation was found only in one experiment. Much of the increased activity that had entered the leaves in the presence of adjuvants was found to have moved to areas distal to the treated zone or remained within the treated zones. In all experiments, applied 14C was not fully recovered. Evidence of significant volatility losses from treated surfaces was obtained and it is thought that this may be the main reason for the inability to recover all of the applied activity.

Experiments were conducted in the greenhouse and the field to determine if a seaweed extract and its component alginates could enhance the activity of sethoxydim on barley (five- to six-leaf stage). In greenhouse trials, sethoxydim with 0.5% oil concentrate was applied at 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 kg ai/ha; in field trials, sethoxydim with 0.5% oil concentrate was applied at 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 kg/ha. In both sets of trials the seaweed extract was applied at a rate of 1 and 2 L/ha, and the alginates were applied at 250 and 500 g/ha. When either the seaweed extract, or the calcium ammonium salt of alginic acid was used as an adjuvant a significant increase in sethoxydim activity was usually observed. At the highest rates of these adjuvants, sethoxydim (0.2 kg/ha) activity increased from 59% control (1321 g/m2 fresh weight) with only oil concentrate, to 87% control (224 g/m2 fresh weight) with seaweed extract, or 89% control (184 g/m2 fresh weight) with the calcium ammonium salt of alginic acid. Sodium salts of alginic acid, both low and medium viscosity, were much less effective.

Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the influence of surfactants applied with or without nitrogen on MON 37500 foliar absorption by Bromus tectorum, Bromus japonicus, Aegilops cylindrica, Triticum aestivum, Chorispora tenella, and Lactuca serriola. MON 37500 absorption in B. tectorum and B. japonicus increased from 40% 24 h after treatment (HAT) to 48% 48 HAT, averaged across surfactants with no added nitrogen. Averaged across nitrogen source and species, nonionic surfactant, ethylated seed oil, and organosilicate provided comparable enhancement of MON 37500 absorption (56 to 68%), whereas crop oil concentrate provided only 27 to 29% absorption under the same conditions. Averaged across species and surfactant class, urea ammonium nitrate had the greatest effect on MON 37500 absorption (68%), compared to ammonium sulfate (59%) or no nitrogen (40%). Nitrogen, regardless of the type, significantly improved foliar absorption of MON 37500. MON 37500 absorption by species was 71, 63, 57, 57, 49, and 38% in C. tenella, B. japonicus, T. aestivum, A. cylindrica, B. tectorum, and L. serriola, respectively, when averaged across surfactants and nitrogen. Densely pubescent B. japonicus leaves did not retain significant amounts of MON 37500 following a primary leaf wash.

Field experiments were conducted at the Lacombe Research Station from 1989 to 1991 to determine the influence of various adjuvants on sethoxydim activity. In all experiments sethoxydim was applied at 100 g ai ha-1 to green foxtail, wheat, wild oat, and barley seeded in a canola crop. Of the four grass species, green foxtail was the most susceptible and barley was the least susceptible to sethoxydim. CC 16255 was the most effective adjuvant followed by either of two sources of ammonium sulphate (liquid or granular) and then Merge. Liquid and granular forms of ammonium sulphate were equally effective in enhancing sethoxydim activity. Several other adjuvants, including Enhance, Savol, and XE 1167, were moderately effective in the enhancement of sethoxydim activity. Adding Canplus 411 to Merge was not usually beneficial, but additions of Canplus 411 to Enhance often increased sethoxydim activity compared with sethoxydim and Enhance alone. Agral 90 and LI-700 were of little or no value as adjuvants with sethoxydim.

Field studies were established to evaluate several new herbicides for preplant incorporated and postemergence shattercane control in soybeans. Imazethapyr applied postemergence controlled shattercane most consistently. The type of adjuvant tank mixed with sethoxydim did not influence shattercane control, panicle production, or soybean yields. Preplant incorporated applications of imazethapyr, imazaquin, or clomazone either alone or tank mixed with trifluralin or pendimethalin gave inconsistent shattercane control and soybean yields compared to handweeded plots.

Experiments were conducted in Massachusetts and New York to evaluate the potential influence of plant growth stage, spray volume, nozzle type, additional surfactant, and herbicide formulation on smooth and large crabgrass control in turf with fenoxaprop. At a well-watered site, crabgrass control with fenoxaprop was equal to or greater than with MSMA. On an irrigated, fertilized site, crabgrass growth stage did not influence fenoxaprop efficacy. Excellent control of up to 5-tiller smooth crabgrass was obtained with 0.20 kg/ha of fenoxaprop. On nonirrigated turf, fenoxaprop was less effective on tillered crabgrass than on 2- to 5-leaf weeds. Under very dry conditions, fenoxaprop was ineffective regardless of growth stage. Control with MSMA was less affected by drought than was fenoxaprop. Spray volumes, between 140 and 1120 L/ha, did not affect fenoxaprop efficacy; however, high volume applications (1120 L/ha) with floodjet nozzles were less effective than flat fan nozzle treatments in two of three tests. Added surfactant did not improve efficacy except with floodjet nozzles on a droughty site. No differences were observed between the water-based and the emulsifiable concentrate formulations of fenoxaprop. Fenoxaprop caused temporary phytotoxicity (≤20% reduction in turf quality) to established Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass.

Glyphosate toxicity to wheat was antagonized more by calcium chloride than sodium bicarbonate. Mixtures of the salts at greater than 100 mg L−1 sodium bicarbonate and 200 mg L−1 calcium chloride were additive in antagonism of glyphosate in the greenhouse experiments. Surfactant and oil adjuvants did not overcome sodium bicarbonate or calcium chloride antagonism of glyphosate. Oil adjuvants were generally antagonistic to glyphosate. An equation is presented that determines the amount of diammonium sulfate required to overcome glyphosate antagonism based upon the sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium cations in the spray carrier.

Relevant data on the sorption of organic compounds by isolated plant cuticles are reviewed and discussed in relation to the foliar penetration process. The chemical properties and structure of plant cuticles favor sorption of lipophilic compounds and play an important role in the penetration of biologically active substances. With organic acid auxins 2,4-D and NAA, and methylene blue as molecular probes, concentration, pH, temperature, and surfactants were important factors affecting sorption. The constituent waxes of the cuticle markedly inhibit sorption of a wide range of organic compounds. Octoxynol surfactants that have 5 or 7.5 polyoxyethylene groups interact with the epicuticular wax to enhance the sorption of NAA. At sorption equilibrium, the cuticle has a lower affinity for methylene blue in the region usually rich in cuticular waxes and in a narrow band in the cuticular pegs.

Lanolin or lanolin + corn (Zea mays L.) starch rings are often used as barriers on leaves to prevent runoff of foliarly applied 14C-herbicide treatments. A preliminary experiment showed that 64 and 90% of the applied 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] and 57 and 87% of the applied glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] was adsorbed to or absorbed into a lanolin and lanolin + starch ring, respectively, during 6 days on a glass slide. Absorption and translocation of 2,4-D in hemp dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum L.) was decreased from 26% down to 16 or 17% of the total applied when a lanolin or lanolin + starch ring was used. Glyphosate absorption and translocation increased with the lanolin ring but not with the lanolin + starch ring. Distribution of the translocated 2,4-D and glyphosate was also altered by use of the ring barriers. Results indicate that one should avoid use of the lanolin ring in 14C-herbicide absorption studies to simulate field conditions.

Field and greenhouse research was conducted during 1980 and 1981 to evaluate the effects of carrier volume, surfactant concentration, and treatment date on glyphosate [N - (phosphonomethyl)glycine] toxicity to annual-grass weeds and volunteer small grains. Glyphosate phytotoxicity increased as carrier volume was decreased from 190 to 24 L/ha. The presence of a surfactant in the spray solution did not influence grass control when glyphosate was applied in a carrier volume of 24 L/ha. When glyphosate was applied in 48 or 95 L/ha, the presence of surfactant resulted in better grass control than glyphosate without surfactant. When applied in 190 L/ha, glyphosate with 0.5% (v/v) surfactant gave better grass control than glyphosate alone or commercially formulated glyphosate. When glyphosate was applied to plants under water stress, little control was achieved regardless of plant growth stage. Glyphosate application to grass after head initiation also resulted in reduced control. Maximum weed control with glyphosate was attained when applications were made to seedlings growing actively because of adequate soil moisture and favorable temperatures.

A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of adjuvants on postemergence large crabgrass control with dithiopyr. Using barriers to isolate foliage or soil, the primary site of dithiopyr uptake was found to be via foliage. Laboratory and greenhouse studies elucidated the factors involved in enhancement of crabgrass control by dithiopyr with nine superior adjuvants. Two adjuvants increased dithiopyr absorption by 3.7 to 4.3% over the herbicide alone. However, none of the adjuvants increased dithiopyr translocation out of the treated leaf. Treatment of a single large crabgrass leaf indicated that enhancement of dithiopyr activity by adjuvants involved an effect on translocation, on spray retention, and on the external movement of the spray solution to the apical meristem, with the relative importance of any 1 factor depending on the particular adjuvant used. Because of the large losses of dithiopyr during absorption/translocation studies, a separate volatilization experiment determined that 70% of the applied dithiopyr volatilized within 24 h at 24 C. Dithiopyr absorption decreased and volatilization increased with each 10 C increase in temperature. Nonrecoverable dithiopyr ranged from 46 to 55% at 5 C to 92 to 95% at 35 C. Volatility losses of this magnitude may mitigate adjuvant enhancement of postemergence grass activity of dithiopyr.

Kalmia angustifolia is a problematic understory shrub in boreal forests of eastern Canada. In this article, we discuss the nature of its interference with conifer regeneration, and control measures using herbicides. Although laboratory studies suggest the leaching of water-soluble phenolic compounds from Kalmia, allelopathic interference cannot be invoked as a cause of conifer regeneration failure because of lack of field evidences. Because of severe inhibitory effects of Kalmia on conifer growth and its role in long-term habitat degradation, the development of strategies for Kalmia management is a priority research area. Neither prescribed burning, plowing, scarification, nor 2,4-D application was proven effective in Kalmia control. Two studies were carried out using transplanted Kalmia to determine the efficacy of several herbicides and a herbicide plus burning treatment to control Kalmia. In one experiment, eight treatments were applied. They were control, glyphosate (3.36 kg/ha), glyphosate (2.88 kg/ha) plus surfactant Tween 20 (0.2%), glyphosate (2.88 kg/ha) plus surfactant Triton XR (0.2%), fosamine ammonium (5.38 kg/ha), triclopyr (4 kg/ha), hexazinone (2.2 kg/ha), and hexazinone (5 kg/ha). Triclopyr (4 kg/ha) provided the best control with significant reduction in the number and dry weight of sprouts, rhizomes, and current-year foliage of Kalmia compared with control. In another experiment, triclopyr (4 kg/ha), hexazinone (5 kg/ha), and hexazinone (2.2 kg/ha) plus burning treatments were applied. To determine the response of black spruce seedlings to the herbicide treatments, black spruce seedlings were planted in all the Kalmia pots except the ones that received the hexazinone (2.2 kg/ha) plus burning treatment. Triclopyr (4 kg/ha) caused the maximum damage to Kalmia, affecting all the above- and below-ground components of the plant. We recommend that an experimental field trial be established using triclopyr to test its efficacy for Kalmia control under field conditions.

Glyphosate is the only herbicide used for controlling illicit coca (Erythroxylum coca and E. novogranatense), a source of cocaine. Because commercially available formulations of glyphosate were inconsistent in controlling coca, research was conducted in a large-scale aerial eradication program, greenhouse (in Maryland) and field (Hawaii), to develop more effective control systems. Sixteen surfactants (cationic, nonionic, or mixed) were tested with two commercial glyphosate herbicide formulations, in aqueous or oil-based carrier systems, for coca control. Ultimately, two glyphosate–surfactant systems (COC/OSI-U [a mixture of crop-oil concentrate, Agri-Dex® and organosilicone, Silwet L-77®] and CAT/ANA [cationic surfactant/anionic surfactant, Optima®]) were found that increased glyphosate phytotoxicity fourfold: 1.1 kg ae/ha of glyphosate + surfactant was equivalent to 4.4 kg ae/ha glyphosate without added surfactant, for both species. In consequence, the glyphosate mixture used in Colombia for coca eradication was modified with substantially improved results.

In this paper, we consider the straining flow of a weakly interacting polymer–surfactant solution below a free surface, with the bulk surfactant concentration above the critical micelle concentration. We formulate a set of coupled differential equations describing the concentration of monomers, micelles, polymer, and polymer–micelle aggregates in the flow. We analyse the model in several asymptotic limits, and make predictions about the distribution of each of the species. In particular, in the large-reaction-rate limit we find that the model predicts a region near the free surface where no micelles or aggregates are present, and beneath this a region where the concentration of surfactant is constant, across which the concentration of aggregates increases until all the free polymer is consumed. For certain parameter regimes, a maximum in the concentration of the polymer–micelle complex occurs within the bulk fluid. In the finite-reaction-rate limit, micelles, and aggregates are present right up to the free surface, and the plateau in the concentration of surfactant in the bulk is no longer present. Results from the asymptotic theory compare favorably with full numerical solutions.

In this paper, we numerically investigate the effects of surfactant on drop-drop interactions in a 2D shear flow using a coupled level-set and immersed interface approach proposed in (Xu et al., J. Comput. Phys., 212 (2006), 590-616). We find that surfactant plays a critical and nontrivial role in drop-drop interactions. In particular, we find that the minimum distance between the drops is a non-monotone function of the surfactant coverage and Capillary number. This non-monotonic behavior, which does not occur for clean drops, is found to be due to the presence of Marangoni forces along the drop interfaces. This suggests that there are non-monotonic conditions for coalescence of surfactant-laden drops, as observed in recent experiments of Leal and co-workers. Although our study is two-dimensional, we believe that drop-drop interactions in three-dimensional flows should be qualitatively similar as the Maragoni forces in the near contact region in 3D should have a similar effect.

The synthesis of materials via self-assembly typically involves the spontaneous and reversible organization of small building blocks for the purpose of creating conglomerate structures over larger length scales. This introductory article describes self-assembly processes on several length scales, from subnanometer up to millimeter scales, and briefly summarizes some of the incredible diversity of materials that exhibit selfassembly. Articles in this issue cover self-assembly using zeolitic structures, organic molecular crystals, block copolymers, surfactants, mesoscale templates, and soluble crystallization additives. Keywords: block copolymers, materials synthesis, self-assembly, surfactants, templates, zeolites.