Surfactant-modified zeolite as a slow release fertilizer for phosphorus.
The feasibility of using surfactant-modified zeolite (SMZ) as a carrier for fertilizer and for slow release of phosphorus (P) was investigated. Zeolite-A was modified by using hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, a cationic surfactant, to modify its surface to increase its capacity to retain anion, namely, phosphate (PO4(3-)). SMZ was thoroughly characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, and scanning electron microscopy to study the effect of surfactant modification. Zeolite-A and SMZ were then subjected to P loading by treating them with fertilizer (KH2PO4). It was observed that the P loading on SMZ increased by a factor of 4.9 as compared to the unmodified zeolite-A. A comparative study of the release of P from fertilizer-loaded unmodified zeolite-A and SMZ and from solid KH2PO4 was performed using the constant flow percolation reactor. The results show that the P supply from fertilizer-loaded SMZ was available even after 1080 h of continuous percolation, whereas P from KH2PO4 was exhausted within 264 h. The results indicate that SMZ is a good sorbent for PO4(3-), and a slow release of P was achievable. These properties suggest that SMZ has a great potential as the fertilizer carrier for slow release of P.
Bansiwal
Amit Kumar
AK
National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nehur Marg, Nagpur 440 020, India.
Rayalu
Sadhana Suresh
SS
Labhasetwar
Nitin Kumar
NK
Juwarkar
Asha Ashok
AA
Devotta
Sukumar
S
D000327:Adsorption; D000077286:Cetrimonium; D002593:Cetrimonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D005308:Fertilizers; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction; D017641:Zeolites / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*
D002593:Cetrimonium Compounds; D005308:Fertilizers; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D017641:Zeolites; D010758:Phosphorus; D000077286:Cetrimonium