Mechanochemical conversion of chrysotile/KHPO mixtures into potential sustainable and environmentally friendly slow-release fertilizers.

Chrysotile fibers pose a threat to public health due to their association relation to respiratory malignant lung disease such as cancer. For this reason, they must be stored and discarded appropriately, including after treatment, which raises costs. In the present study, insoluble chrysotile fibers were milled in solid state with highly soluble KHPO, destroying both structures, making the chrysotile nontoxic and generating a new material with potential use as sustainable slow-release fertilizer (SSRF) containing mainly K and P. Based on the mills, milling conditions and chrysotile/KHPO molar ratios used, Mg originating from chrysotile fibers reacted with K and P from dibasic potassium phosphate and were transformed into MgKPO·HO, MgKPO·6HO and probably a mixture of amorphous SiO/MgO. In this study, a zirconia planetary mill and high-energy ball mill were used, both of them produced SSRF. In conclusion, it was possible to synthesize high-value and extremely useful materials for agriculture using a harmful waste. The release rate can be tailored by controlling chrysotile/KHPO molar ratios, grinding speed and time, which makes the process even more promising for farming applications.