Preparation and Characterization of Environmentally Friendly Controlled Release Fertilizers Coated by Leftovers-Based Polymer

Abstract

In this work, a novel bio-based polyurethane (PU) was synthesized by using a leftovers (SF)-based polyol and isocyanate for controlled release fertilizers (CRFs). Its chemical structure, surface elemental compositions and distribution were examined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) and a multifunctional imaging electron spectrometer (XPS). The microstructure morphology of CRFs were examined by SEM. The nutrient release behaviors of CRFs were observed in water. The results demonstrated that SF-based PU-coated urea (FPU) had a denser structure and better nutrient releasing ability. Findings from this work indicated that the use of SF as a coating material of environment-friendly CRFs had great potential, and would hopefully be used for horticultural and agricultural applications.