PREPARATION OF UREA-BASED NITROGEN NANOPARTICLES FOR AGRICULTURAL USE

Abstract

The use of nanotechnology for the design of useful materials in agriculture has become important in recent years. The objective of this research was aimed at preparing a nano-fertilizer based on sodium alginate and urea, by means of spray drying. The test compounds were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Zeta potential. The obtained nanoparticles had a spherical shape, a smooth surface, an average size of 600 nm and a surface charge of -39 ±3 mV. The results of FTIR, DSC and EDS corroborated the presence and homogeneous distribution of urea in the polymer matrix. The characteristics presented by the particles are suitable for further evaluation in a slow-release system since the discharge of the fertilizer can be controlled.