Mechanochemical Preparation of a Novel Slow-Release Fertilizer Based on K2SO4-kaolinite

Abstract

In this study, a novel slow-release fertilizer (SRF) consisting of kaolinite and K2SO4 was prepared, employing the process of mechanochemical milling in a planetary ball mill. To obtain the optimum milling time and speed, several samples were made at fixed mass ratios of kaolinite: K2SO4 (3:1). The milling rotational speed ranged from 200 to 700 rpm for 120 min. Different milling times ranging from 60 to 180 min at fixed 600 rpm milling speed were also investigated to evaluate the incorporation of K2SO4 and to measure the liberation of K+ and SO42− ions into solution. The properties of the studied samples were analyzed by Fourier transformation infrared spectrometry (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and ion chromatography (IC). The mechanochemical process is a green chemistry procedure that is successfully applied to incorporate K2SO4 into the amorphous kaolinite structure. The slow-release performance was evaluated by determining the K+ and SO42− content in the aqueous solution upon leaching. The optimum released amount of K+ after 24 h was 32 mg L−1 for the milling conditions of 180 min and 700 rpm, indicating that K2SO4-kaolinite has good slow-release properties. The novel SRF is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and improves the fertilizer’s efficiency in many agricultural applications.

Preparation, Features, and Efficiency of Nanocomposite Fertilisers Based on Glauconite and Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate

“…The key components of CRF are nutrients (often ammonium or phosphates) and inhibitory substances [ 27 , 32 , 33 ]. Various polymers [ 25 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ], organic materials [ 22 , 28 , 38 , 39 , 40 ], minerals [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ], and heterogeneous substances [ 44 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ] can inhibit nutrients in the CRF. Clay minerals (phyllosilicates) are common inorganic materials in the creation slow-release fertilisers [ 41 , 45 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ].…”

“…Various polymers [ 25 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ], organic materials [ 22 , 28 , 38 , 39 , 40 ], minerals [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ], and heterogeneous substances [ 44 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ] can inhibit nutrients in the CRF. Clay minerals (phyllosilicates) are common inorganic materials in the creation slow-release fertilisers [ 41 , 45 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ]. Clay minerals and clay-based complex materials are also used to purify water from phosphate and ammonium ions [ 63 , 64 ].…”

Facile Production Method of PbS Nanoparticles via Mechanical Milling of Galena Ore

“…All these factors play a vital role in governing the final properties of the product. Significant information about powder metallurgy and its applications, and where it must be used in the production process, has been reported by many researchers [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. A recent review by Joy et al summarized some previous work on the mechanochemical milling processes [ 21 ].…”