Open Access

ARTICLE

Synthesis of Novel Nanocomposite Based on Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), Kaolin and Urea Fertilizer for Controlled Release

NALINI SHARMA^1,*, AJAY SINGH², RAJ KUMAR DUTTA³

1 2 Uttaranchal University, Dehradun-248007, Uttarakhand, India.
3 IIT Roorkee, Roorkee-247667, Uttarakhand, India.

* Corresponding Author: e-mail:

Journal of Polymer Materials 2020, 37(1-2), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.32381/JPM.2020.37.1-2.1

Abstract

Controlled Release fertilizers (CRFs) are new generation agrochemicals which aid in decreasing environmental pollution. In the present study, novel CRF beads are synthesized by the technique of sol-gel polymerization. CMC polymer at various concentrations was used as a matrix and kaolin was used as a binder to enhance mechanical properties of the beads. The study also reveals the incorporation of Kaolin at different concentrations and optimization of the same. Fe3+ was used as a cross-linker to obtain spherical beads. Also, a study was done to optimize the cross linking time and concentration of cross linking solution. The usage of polymers brings forth the issue of their degradation. But all the materials used in the current study are biodegradable. The incorporation of urea in the prepared fertilizer nanocomposite for controlled release of nutrients was confirmed by FT-IR, XRD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Formed nanocomposite showed diameter as small as 8.1nm as seen by SEM. The release study of fertilizer was done by incubating the sample in water and released urea content was determined using UV-Vis Spectroscopy at the wavelength of 525 nm by Diacetylmonoxime method at every alternate day. The samples showed optimum release of 66.7, 76.4 and 55.4% for 0.8, 0.9 and 1wt% CMC concentration.

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Keywords

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