Nanoclay biopolymer composites: Synthesis, characterization and nitrogen release under controlled conditions

Abstract

As the production sector of N fertilizer challenged by energy crisis of the world and consumption sector is challenged by the environmental impacts, there is an urgent need to improve the nitrogen use efficiency for the sustainable growth of agriculture sector. The controlled release/ slow-release N fertilizers are smart choices to serve this purpose. So, this manuscript aims to synthesise nano clay bio-polymer composites (NCBPC) and using it for controlled N release. Nano clay bio-polymer composites were prepared by aqueous copolymerization of acrylic acid with acrylamide in presence of bentonite nano clay and starch as a partial replacement for synthetic polymers. Maize and wheat flour (maida) were used as starch source at 20 and 30% replacement level to synthesise different NCBPC products. The resulting products were characterized using FTIR and SEM which revealed the participation of bentonite and starch in the polymerization reaction at the nano level. The incubation study in soil disclosed the slow-release of nitrogen by these materials. Therefore, bentonite clay with cereal grain flours may be used for the synthesis of nano clay bio-polymer composites for slow-release of nitrogen.