In this study, controlled release formulations of Atrazine (ATZ) were synthesized by the sol-gel method and characterized by elemental, FTIR, SEM, BET and DSC analyses. The release kinetic of ATZ from the formulations in CaCl2 0.01 mol L-1 medium was monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy. In all formulations, ATZ was physically dispersed on the Si-polymer, and the dispersion grade decreased with increasing amount of herbicide. The ATZ release kinetics was controlled mainly by dissolution, and the data could be fitted to the Korsmeyer - Pepper model. The ATZ as xerogel presents a lower affinity for soil than as granulated form.
sol-gel; sorption; soil
