Synthesized Nano composites of nano silica and reduced graphene with urea for nitrogen fertilizer capsule production and their evaluation

Abstract

Abstract Finding the replacement of urea for nitrogen fertilization, mesoporous nano silica (mNs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based urea nanocomposites were synthesized. These composites were characterized by UV-spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, FE-SEM and HR-TEM to examine surface functional groups, morphology, and structural composition. XRD spectrum confirmation with SAED image of nano silica and graphene oxide nanocomposites confirms the polycrystalline and crystalline nature with 45–70 nm crystal size. The SEM revealed that the modified surface of mesoporous nano silica and reduced graphene oxide are well-distributed clusters and are composed of targeted nutrient. Synthesized composites were evaluated on seed germination, crop productivity and N use efficiency (NUE). The grain yields, NPK uptake and nitrogen use efficiency in rice and wheat was significantly higher with mNs and rGO-based composites applied to supply @ 60 N Kg ha− 1 as well as led to nutrients availability and microbial properties by increasing NPK content in soil over conventional use of urea. Application of mNs for 120 kg N ha− 1 showed maximum 64.44% increase in rice and 59% in wheat grain yields over conventional fertilization (120 kg ha− 1 through urea). Besides these, significant increment in grain yields, NPK content and uptake by crops was recorded Over control. Maximum 75.71 and 91.36% increase in NUE by rice and wheat crops, respectively by rice and wheat, respectively compared with conventional fertilization (120 kg ha− 1 through ordinary urea)