Synthesis and characterization of zinc-coated urea fertilizer

Abstract

Fertilizers are a back bone to any country’s agricultural well-being and growth. The conventional fertilizer technology resulted in increased environmental pollution and nutrient loss. In this research premieres Control Release Fertilizer Technology (CRF) has been synthesis by inorganic salt coating on urea fertilizer for efficient consumption of urea in plant root zone and good achievements in food grain and enriched nutrients production by the plants. The synthesized fertilizer were characterized by XRD, FTIR and TGA. XRD revealed that the confirmation of presence of zinc sulphate on the surface of urea beads through their comparison with JCPDS Cards defined in data bank of XRD. FTIR analysis predicted the presence of zinc sulphate on urea beads through the detection of functional groups of product. TGA study determined the weight loss of sample with temperature and one percent retained mass indicated that the mineral zinc required high temperature for volatilization. The controlled release test also a confirmation for the presence of zinc sulphate on the surface of urea beads in which delayed time dissolution of coated urea in comparison of conventional urea were observed which emphasized on the scope of emerging technology of Control Release Coated Urea Fertilizer Technology