Surface modified nano-zeolite used as carrier for slow release of sulphur

Abstract

Surface modified nano-zeolite (SMNZ) was used as carrier to develop nano-zeolite based nano-sulphur fertilizer. A laboratory study on sulphur nano-fertilizer and conventional sulphur fertilizer were studied with percolation reactor system to evaluate the slow release of sulphur from both fertilizers in ambient temperature. SMNZ and sulphur nano-fertilizer were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Zeta Analyzer, Raman Spectroscopy, XRD and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Raman spectroscopy confirmed the sulphur attachment at 480 cm-1 in the SMNZ. The FTIR spectra at 1030 cm-1 confirmed the sulphate attachments in the SMNZ spectrum. Zeta analyzer showed the surface charge of sulphur nano-fertilizer had (-) 52.6 mV. SEM imaged the sulphur loaded SMNZ in irregular flake like structure. A comparative study of the release of sulphate (SO4 2-) from fertilizer-loaded SMNZ and (NH4)2 SO4 fertilizers were performed using the percolation reactor. The results showed that the SO42- supply from fertilizer-loaded SMNZ was available even after 912 h of continuous percolation, whereas SO42- from (NH4)2 SO4 was exhausted within 384 h. These properties suggest that SMNZ has a great potential as the fertilizer carrier for slow release of SO42-.