Chitosan-smectite composite on the urea adsorption–desorption study for slow-release fertilizer application

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to prepare composite of chitosan-modified smectite clays consisting of montmorillonite and saponite clay minerals and their urea adsorption–desorption study. Prepared materials were designed for slow-release fertilizer application. Design/methodology/approach Preparation of the composites was conducted by a simple intercalation of chitosan solution and clay suspension followed by hydrogel beads formation. Physicochemical characterization of materials was performed by X-ray diffraction, gas sorption analysis by using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface areas and pore volume, water absorbency and Fourier transform-infrared. Urea adsorption and desorption studies of prepared materials were conducted by using batch method, and the adsorbed and desorbed urea content was analyzed by using high-performance liquid chromatography method. Findings The results revealed that the composites have higher absorptivity and lower absorptivity toward urea from and into water solution compared to raw clay minerals. Adsorption capacity and slow desorption rate of urea from the composites suggested the potential application of the composites as slow urea-releasing agent. Originality/value There are many papers that study the formation of chitosan-clay composites, but the study on the urea adsorption–desorption properties based on chitosan-smectite minerals have not been reported. Intensive study related to physicochemical properties and its related kinetics study is an important basic finding for further applications.