Pesticide spray droplets can damage ecological environments and negatively affect biodiversity if they reach nontarget areas. Effective retention of pesticide droplets on plant surfaces is an important challenge. In this study, a high-speed camera was utilized to visualize the bounce behavior of droplets of different pesticide solutions on rice leaf surfaces. We explored the addition of surfactants (SAAs) to different pesticide solutions and altered a pesticide solution system to prevent or regulate droplet bounce behavior. Experimental results indicate that the addition of SAAs to a pesticide solution can inhibit the bouncing of droplets on rice leaf surfaces. Additionally, a water-in-oil (EO) emulsion not only can significantly inhibit droplet rebound on a superhydrophobic surface, but also can quickly and automatically spread pesticide droplets to maximize the wetting area. Therefore, this work effectively improves the utilization of pesticides and reduces environmental pollution.
Keywords: bounce behavior; pesticide solutions; polymer emulsifier; superhydrophobic surface; unmanned aerial vehicle; water-in-oil emulsion.