Abstract

Abstract There is a clear gap between the mechanism of slow-release fertilizer (SRF) to promote plant growth and the prominent role of nanocomposites as filler materials for SRF synthesis. However, the production source of oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) is considered to influence its characteristics as a filler in new materials. This research aims to review the characteristics of OPEFB from Blitar Regency, East Java Province, Indonesia as a filling material for NPK-SRF fertilizer. The characteristics of OPEFB consist of analysis of nutritional content using proximate, nutritional content using Van Soest, morphology and topography using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), crystal phase using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and chemical compound composition using Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The identification results show that OPEFB has the potential to be used as a filler in NPK-SRF production. This can be seen from the high cellulose content (41.7%), with quite similar crystallinity index as native OPEFB fibers. The morphology of OPEFB shows a porous structure with a not uniform pore distribution, pore channel structure, and a not-quite-smooth pore surface. However, slight modifications to the cellulose from OPEFB need to be made, such as purifying it into a single nano-sized cellulose.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.