AI Article Synopsis
- The study focused on creating a slow-release fertilizer (SRF) by combining low molecular weight poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with urea, analyzing how PLA's molecular weight and urea content affect nutrient release rates in water.
- Periodic monitoring showed that urea's release was mainly driven by diffusion, especially when less than 60% was released, with faster rates observed at lower PLA molecular weights and higher urea levels.
- After 96 hours, PLA began to degrade, leading to surface micro-holes, indicating efficient urea release without harmful residues that could affect soil health.
Article Abstract
In this research, a low molecular weight poly(lactic acid) (or PLA) synthesized from direct polycondensation was melt compounded with urea to formulate slow-release fertilizer (SRF). We studied the influence of the molecular weight () of PLA as a matrix and the urea composition of SRF towards release kinetics in water at 30 °C. The physical appearance of solid samples, the change in urea concentration, and acidity (pH) of water were monitored periodically during the release test. Three studied empirical models exhibited that diffusion within the matrix dominated the urea release process, especially when the release level was less than 60%. Thus, a lower of PLA and a higher urea content of SRF showed a faster release rate. For the entire length of the release experiment, a combination of diffusion and degradation mechanisms exhibited the best agreement with the experimental data. The hydrolytic degradation of PLA may begin after 96 h of immersion (around 60% release level), followed by the appearance of some micro-holes and cracks on the surface of the SRF samples. Generally, this research revealed the good release performance of urea without residues that damage the soil structure and nutrient balance.
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|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8199746 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/polym13111856 | DOI Listing |
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