Zinc Layered Hydroxide 2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetate: Synthesis Via ZnO, Characterization and Effect on Seed Germination

2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) was successfully intercalated into zinc layered hydroxide (ZLH) by anion exchange technique followed by hydrothermal treatment, resulting in the formation of nanoherbicide, zinc-layered hydroxide-2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (ZMCPA). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) was used to confirm the intercalation of herbicide into ZLH, while Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) was employed to assess the plant’s protein content and amino acid composition before and after 1 h treatment with ZnO, MCPA and ZMCPA via the foliar technique and direct soil application. The basal spacing of ZMCPA in this study is 21.6 Å at 4.0815°, revealing the triumphant incorporation of MCPA into the ZLH host. The zinc oxide (ZnO) fingerprint from 30° to 60° that certainly vanished in the ZMCPA diffractogram indicates that all ZnO has successfully converted to ZLH matrices. The FTIR spectrum of ZMCPA shows the similarity of most MCPA spectra, but with the COO– peaks at 1610 and 1700 cm–1 replacing the intense C=O band at 1742.21 cm–1, implying that the herbicide has assimilated into the host. The protein level of the plant treated with ZMCPA was discovered to be more significant, which signifies that ZLH has effectively acted as a herbicide carrier. This study has depicted the potential of ZMCPA as a more unassailable agrochemical agent in increasing crop productivity while minimizing environmental consequences. HIGHLIGHTS Successful Intercalation of MCPA into Zinc Layered Hydroxide (ZLH) Enhanced Plant Protein Levels with nanocomposite, ZMCPA Treatment ZMCPA as a potentially more effective and environmentally friendly agrochemical agent compared to the traditional agrochemical GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT