Functionalized Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes For Efficiency Enhancement Used Of Nitrogenous Fertilizer In Paddy

The efficient use of urea fertilizer (UF) as an important nitrogen (N) source in the rice production has been a concern. The main problem is significant amount of the N fertilizer is lost during the year of application. Various studies that had adequately addressed the issue by using UF, which contains high amounts of N (47%) have so far had little success. Nanotechnology advancements in nutrition strategies involving multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have attempted to provide solutions for N losses and low N use efficiency (NUE) by plants. However, agglomerates of MWCNTs limit their efficient mobility properties. Since a high degree of MWCNTs functionalization would lead to separation of nanotubes bundle, advanced N Nano-carrier is developed based on f-MWCNTs grafted with UF to produce urea-MWCNTs (UF-MWCNTs) for enhancing the nitrogen uptake (NU) and NUE. The grafted N can be absorbed and utilized by rice efficiently to overcome the N propensity for loss from soil‐plant systems when UFMWCNTs are applied as fertilizer. Screening process parameters were structured via Plackett Burman experimental design of experiment involving nine identified factors, which were the amount of MWCNTs, percentage of functionalization, stirring time, stirring temperature, agitation, sonication frequency, sonication temperature, sonication time and amount of ammonium chloride with corresponding response of Total N attached on the surface of MWCNTs. As a result, functionalization and amount of MWCNTs used were found to be the most significant factors and chosen for further optimization processes. Analyses were structured via the Response Surface Methodology based on a five-level Central Composite Design consisting of f-MWCNTs amount between 0.10–0.60wt% and functionalization reflux time varying from 12-24hrs as the design factors. The individual and interaction effects between the specified factors and the corresponding responses (NUE, NU) were investigated. The UF-MWCNTs with optimized 0.5wt% f-MWCNTs treated at 21hrs functionalization reflux time achieved tremendous NUE up to 96% and NU at 1180mg/pot. A significant model term (p-value < 0.05) for NUE and NU responses were confirmed by the ANOVA of two quadratic models. Homogeneous dispersion with non-agglomerate features was observed on UF-MWCNTs via FESEM and TEM. Direct evidence regarding the physical translocation of biodegraded f-MWCNTs through phospholipid bilayers into plant roots involving soil-plant interaction via mass flow route and direct penetration into the subcellular region of the plant cells were revealed via TEM imaging investigation. Surface functionalization was strongly suggested to have a bigger effect on the translocation of f-MWCNTs than the size factor. The chemical changes were monitored by FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. Hence, this UF-MWCNTs approach provides a promising strategy in enhancing plant nutrition for rice

Urea Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes As Efficient Nitrogen Delivery System For Rice

This paper utilized urea functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes fertilizer as plant nutrition for rice to understand fully their mechanism of interaction. Surface modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes was treated by nitric acid at different reflux times. The individual and interaction effects between the design factors of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube amount and functionalization reflux time with the corresponding responses of nitrogen uptake and nitrogen use efficiency were structured via the Response Surface Methodology based on five-level central composite design. The urea functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes fertilizer with optimized 0.5 weight% functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes treated at 21 h of reflux time achieve tremendous nitrogen uptake at 1180 mg/pot and NUE up to 96%. The FT-IR results confirm the formation of acidic functional groups of functionalized MWCNTs and UF-MWCNTs. The morphological observation of transmission electron microscopy shows extracellular regions to be the preferred localization of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in fresh plant root cells independent of their size and geometry. Penetration into the plant cell results in breaching of graphitic tubular structure of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes with their length being shortened until ∼50 nm and diameters becoming thinner until less than 10 nm. The capability to agglomerate after translocation into the plant cells alarms potential cytotoxicity effect of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in agriculture. These work findings have suggested using urea functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes for effective nutrient delivery systems in rice plant

Statistical evaluation of the production of urea fertilizer-multiwalled carbon nanotubes using Plackett Burman experimental design

Abstract Plant growth rate is significantly dependent on application of nitrogenous fertilizer which mainly contributed by urea fertilizer (UF). Nanotechnology advancements in nutrition strategies for plants have attempted to assist plant nutrition for efficient plant growth. The development of carbon nanomaterials (NMs) including Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in conjunction with the advancement in biotechnology has expanded their application area of in the field of agriculture. The aim of the work is to identify the significant process parameters to attach urea fertilizer (UF) onto MWNTs. The UF-MWNTs was than characterized optically and chemically to confirm their bonding. Comparison study was also conducted between UF-MWNTs and UF-functionalized {MWNTs} on total N content bonding to the MWNTs. The surface functional groups produced from functionalization process are essential for further modification of {MWNTs} and facilitate the separation of nanotube bundles into individual tubes. Optical, vibrational spectroscopy and chemical characterization were conducted on the samples using TEM, FT-IR and total N analysis confirmed the successful bonding of urea onto MWNTs. Plackett-Burman Experimental Design showed, two out of nine investigated parameters (amount of functionalized {MWNTs} and percentage of functionalization) were found significant in producing successful attachment of {UF} onto functionalized {MWNTs} (fMWNTs)

Urea functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes as efficient nitrogen delivery system for rice

This paper utilized urea functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes fertilizer as plant nutrition for rice to understand fully their mechanism of interaction. Surface modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes was treated by nitric acid at different reflux times. The individual and interaction effects between the design factors of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube amount and functionalization reflux time with the corresponding responses of nitrogen uptake and nitrogen use efficiency were structured via the Response Surface Methodology based on five-level central composite design. The urea functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes fertilizer with optimized 0.5 weight% functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes treated at 21 h of reflux time achieve tremendous nitrogen uptake at 1180 mg/pot and NUE up to 96%. The FT-IR results confirm the formation of acidic functional groups of functionalized MWCNTs and UF-MWCNTs. The morphological observation of transmission electron microscopy shows extracellular regions to be the preferred localization of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in fresh plant root cells independent of their size and geometry. Penetration into the plant cell results in breaching of graphitic tubular structure of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes with their length being shortened until ∼50 nm and diameters becoming thinner until less than 10 nm. The capability to agglomerate after translocation into the plant cells alarms potential cytotoxicity effect of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in agriculture. These work findings have suggested using urea functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes for effective nutrient delivery systems in rice plant. © 2019 Vietnam Academy of Science & Technology

Characterization Of Phosphoric Acid Biochar Derived From Rubber Wood Sawdust For Enhancement Of Urea Fertilizer Impregnation

This paper examines the physiochemical properties of phosphoric acid treated biochar for improvement of urea fertilizer impregnation process. The biochar was heated with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) of 1.5 M (TB1) and 1 M (TB2) concentrations at 80 and 90°C temperature respectively. The treated biochar then were impregnated with 2 wt. % of dissolved urea fertilizer while continuously stirred until the mixture recrystallize to form solid urea impregnated biochar fertilizer (TB1-U and TB2-U). TB1 revealed highest composition of C (66.36%), H (6.53%) and N (1.65%) compared to TB2 composition of C (61.84%), H (4.60%) and N (1.06%). FT-IR results indicated the presence of C-O stretch functional group at 1200 cm−1 to 900cm−1 wavelength and the presence of aromatic ring (C=O) stretching vibration at 1590cm−1-1550cm-1 wavelength revealed chemical reaction occurred due to phosphoric acid treatment. The microporosity results display more micropores formation on the sample surfaces, thus provide higher surface area possible for urea molecule to be impregnated. SEM-EDX exposed qualitatively and quantitatively the presence of 43% N on TB1-U surfaces compared with slightly lower at 42wt% of N on TB2-U surface evidenced the effectiveness of phosphoric acid treatment on enhancement of the biochar specific surface area to be impregnated with urea for nutrient retained

Thermal Analysis Of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer Decomposition

The increasing number of carbon fibers reinforced polymer (CFRP) waste disposed of in landfills is creating environmental concerns due to the potential release of toxic by-products and the need for recycling. This research work investigates the influence of atmosphere (single and combination of nitrogen and oxygen) and heating rate (5 and 10 °C min-1) on the thermal decomposition of CFRP to recover the reclaimed-cf The samples were heated up to 420 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere followed by heating in the oxygen atmosphere from 420 °C until the final heating temperature at different heating rates. The thermal decomposition behavior of the CFRP waste was compared by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Morphological, chemical and structural analysis of reclaimed-CF was performed using SEM, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy respectively. A nitrogen atmosphere was significance at the early temperature (<420 °C) to decompose smaller molecules of epoxy resin components, while oxygen atmosphere is needed to achieve a complete separation of reclaimed-CF from their matrix. Thermal decomposition at lower heating rate (5 °C min-1) was found efficiently to eliminate the complex epoxy resin and retain the structure of reclaimed-cf The particular thermal decomposition technique that leads to a lower final heating temperature (540 °C) is present to recover valuable reclaimed-CF from complex CFRP industrial waste

Boric Acid Modified Starch Polyvinyl Alcohol Matrix For Slow Release Fertilizer

The slow release urea fertilizer was prepared by the boric acid crosslinked starch/polyvinyl alcohol (SPB) matrix as biodegradable carrier material. Using a two level factorial design of experiment, a comprehensive understanding of the concentration of boric acid, reaction time and heating temperature in the preparation of SPB matrix was obtained. The swelling ratio, release profile of urea in water, and crushing strength were selected as the response. The interaction between the variables and response was analyzed using the ANOVA model. The system was confirmed using the constant determination,R2 with values above 0.99.The high concentration of boric acid with a prolonged reaction time at high temperature gave relative good results of swelling ratio, dissolution rate of urea and crushing strength. In the 28-day soil incubation experiment, the retention of exchangeable ammonium ion 4 (NH ) + was significant higher in SPB urea as compared to pure urea. There was a potential for SPB matrix to improve nitrogen efficiency by increasing the accumulation of exchangeable 4 NH+ and decreasing the dissolution rate of urea in the flooded condition

Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Enhancing Nitrogen Uptake And Use Efficiency Of Urea Fertlizer By Paddy

Efficient use of urea fertilizer (UF) as important nitrogen (N) source in the world's rice production has been a concern for the economic sustainability of cropping systems. The use of carbon-based materials to enhance UF efficiency still facing a great challenge. Hence, N Nano-carrier is developed based on functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) grafted with UF to produce urea-multiwall carbon nanotubes (UF-MWCNTs) for enhancing the nitrogen uptake (NU) and use efficiency (NUE). The grafted N was found efficiently absorbed and utilized by rice, and overcome the N propensity for loss from soil‐plant systems when UF-MWCNTs are applied. The UF-MWCNTs shown tremendous NUE up to 96% and NU at 1180mg/pot. The chemical changes were monitored by Raman spectroscopy. Hence, UF-MWCNTs provides a promising strategy in enhancing plant nutrition for rice

Effect Of Functionalised And Non-Functionalised Carbon Nanotubes-Urea Fertilizer On The Growth Of Paddy

The roles of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and functionalised multiwalled carbon nanotubes (fMWNTs) in enhancing the efficacy of urea fertilizer (UF) as plant nutrition for local MR219 paddy variety was investigated. The MWNTs and fMWNTs were grafted onto UF to produce UF-MWNTs fertilizer with three different conditions,coded as FMU1 (0.6 wt. % fMWNTs),FMU2 (0.1 wt. % fMWNTs) and MU (0.6 wt. % MWNTs.The batches of MR219 paddy were systematically grown in accordance to the general practice performed by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI).The procedure was conducted using a pot under exposure to natural light at three different fertilization times;after a certain number of days of sowing (DAS) at 14,35 and 55 days. Interestingly,it was found that the crop growth of plants treated with FMU1 and FMU2 significantly increased by 22.6% and 38.5% compared to plants with MU addition.Also, paddy treated with FMU1 produced 21.4% higher number of panicles and 35% more grain yield than MU while paddy treated with FMU2 gave 28.6% more number of panicles and 36% higher grain yield than MU,which implies the advantage of fMWNTs over MWNTs to be combined with UF as plant nutrition.The chemical composition and morphology of UF-MWNTs fertilizers which is further characterised by FTiR and FESEM confirmed the successful and homogeneous grafting of UF onto the fMWNTs

Effects Of Doping Concentration And Annealing Temperature On Indium Doped Zinc Oxide Particles Prepared Via Sol-Gel Method

Doping of indium in zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of the means to increase its electrical conductivity. This study focuses on investigating the effects of indium doping concentration (In/Zn = 3%, 5% and 7%) and annealing temperature (200°C, 300°C and 450°C) on the electrical conductivity, structural, morphological and elemental properties of the indium doped zinc oxide (IZO) particles. The synthesis of IZO particles was carried out by a simple sol-gel method where sol-gel was evaporated to xerogel, heat treated and milled to form solid particles. The particles were characterized by four-point probe, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The results obtained demonstrate an impressive increase of electrical conductivity by one order of magnitude at 5% of indium doping compared to the pristine zinc oxide (ZnO) as a result of cumulative charge carriers. Besides, an increase of annealing temperature also shows a positive effect on the electrical conductivity. XRD results show distinctive changes on crystal structure of polycrystalline wurtzite structure and its crystallite size with the change in parameters. FTIR results indicate the effects of both parameters by the presence and elimination of peaks designated for IZO functional group. The SEM-EDX analysis reveals the microstructure morphology at different parameters and validates the existence of each element according to doping concentratio