[en] The extensive usage of pesticides in agriculture has adverse effect on the quality of water and soil; therefore, the proper dosage is of great concern. The aim of this study was to use the functionalized polystyrene beads (QuadraPure™) as a reservoir for the storage and controlled release of two herbicides: 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid. It was proved that desorption of herbicides was strongly affected by the surface properties of polystyrene beads characterized by different pore size distributions and modified with various functional groups. We suggest that the optimal hybrid systems are the mixtures that are able to release the high amount of herbicides for a long time. For 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, these conditions were fulfilled by polystyrene beads with the attached imino diacetate or thiourea functional groups. For 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, the appropriate results were obtained when polystyrene beads with the thiourea functional groups were applied. Additionally, QuadraPure™ scavengers could form stable complexes with copper and nickel ions, and therefore, the pesticide release was limited. The application of a hybrid system permitted to control the distribution of the herbicide by the formation of complexes between metal ions and organic groups of QuadraPure™ materials. The results proved that by using the polystyrene beads the release of herbicide could be controlled. Graphical abstract:

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[en] This paper discusses the effect of the silica mineral fillers: chalcedony, Sillitin, aerosil on the cross-linking, mechanical and thermal properties of chloroprene and butadiene rubber (CR/BR) blends. A novelty is also the use of nano-zinc oxide (nZnO) as a cross-linking agent. The results revealed that chalcedony, Sillitin and aerosil can be used to the reinforcement of the CR/BR/nZnO vulcanizates. All filled composites were characterized by satisfying tensile strength and tear resistance investigated by means of a Zwick testing machine. Additionally, the tests of mechanical properties also included Shore hardness measurement. The dumping properties were determined for vulcanizates subjected to compressive stresses. The filler dispersion in the elastomer matrix was carried out by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on the hysteresis losses measurement and the Payne effect, it was found that these fillers in the elastomer matrix (CR/BR) formed the specific extra-network by the filler-filler interactions. Thermal stability studies were performed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Very high resistance to flame of filled CR/BR/nZnO vulcanizates was confirmed by measuring the oxygen index (OI). (paper)