Mechanochemical Synthesis of Zinc Borate for Use as a Dual-Release B Fertilizer
Date
2021
Authors
Zheng, B.
Kabiri, S.
Andelkovic, I.B.
Degryse, J.
Coqui da Silva, R.
Baird, R.
Self, P.
McLaughlin, M.J.
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Journal article
Citation
ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 2021; 9(47):15995-16004
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Abstract
This study investigated a mechanochemical method to synthesize a slow-release micronutrient fertilizer containing zinc (Zn) and boron (B). Two reactants ZnO and B2O3 were milled in a ball mill for 4 or 8 h with small quantities of water as part of liquid-assisted grinding, with or without a water-assisted reaction (WAR). The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Low-solubility zinc borate (2ZnO center dot 3B(2)O(3)center dot 7H(2)O), with an octahedral crystal morphology, was successfully synthesized by ball milling and WAR. A column dissolution study showed that the products made by 8 h milling followed by 72 h of WAR exhibited a slow and dual-release pattern of B release, with 26% of the total B released after a 72 h dissolution period. Products made without milling or without WAR showed much faster B release. The proposed synthesis route is a sustainable manufacturing process that is energy efficient and does not generate any noxious effluents, producing a material containing two important micronutrients with a slow release rate.
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Data source: Supplementary materials, https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.1c07111
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Copyright 2021 American Chemical Society.