The present study examines the agrochemical application of macrospheres prepared with chitosan and chitosan-starch blends by an easy dripping technique, using a sodium tripolyphosphate aqueous solution as the crosslinking agent. These biopolymers form hydrogels that could be a viable alternative method to obtain controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs). Three different concentrations (ranging from 20 to 100wt/wt% of chitosan) and two crosslinking times (2 or 4h) were used. The resulting polymeric matrices were examined by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Ionotropic gelation and neutralization induced the formation of the macrospheres. The crosslinking time and the composition of the polymeric hydrogel controlled the crosslinking degree, the swelling behavior and the fertilizer loading capability. Potassium nitrate-loaded beads were shown to be useful as a controlled-release fertilizer. After 14days of continuous release into distilled water, the cumulative concentration in the release medium reached between 70 and 93% of the initially loaded salt, depending on the matrix used. The prepared beads showed properties that make them suitable for use in the agrochemical industry as CRFs.
Chitosan-starch beads prepared by ionotropic gelation as potential matrices for controlled release of fertilizers.
Published 2016 in Carbohydrate Polymers
ABSTRACT
PUBLICATION RECORD
- Publication year
2016
- Venue
Carbohydrate Polymers
- Publication date
2016-09-05
- Fields of study
Agricultural and Food Sciences, Medicine, Chemistry
- Identifiers
- External record
- Source metadata
Semantic Scholar, PubMed
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