Biodegradable Polymeric Fertilizer with Semi-Interpenetrating Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current slow/controlled release fertilizers face challenges such as complex coating processes, high costs, and environmental pollution due to non-degradable coating materials, while polyacrylic organic superabsorbent resins have limitations in salt tolerance and cost.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable polymeric slow/controlled release fertilizer with a semi-interpenetrating network structure is developed, incorporating inorganic clay, crop straw, or cellulose, formed through graft copolymerization of acrylic acid and acrylamide, which avoids the coating process and enhances salt tolerance and nutrient content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coated fertilizers with shell-core structure are used, then slow/controlled release function is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fertilizer core and coating shell into a single integrated polymeric matrix system. The fertilizer particles are embedded within a polyacrylic superabsorbent resin matrix during a single granulation process, eliminating the need for separate coating operations while maintaining the slow/controlled release function through the matrix structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite polymeric matrix system consisting of polyacrylic superabsorbent resin combined with fertilizer nutrients. This composite structure provides both the controlled release function and the water-absorbing properties in a single material system, replacing the traditional shell-core composite structure.
2Reliability
If coated fertilizers with film materials are used, then slow/controlled release function is achieved, but material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive semi-permeable or impermeable film materials with a cost-effective polyacrylic superabsorbent resin matrix. This matrix provides the necessary controlled release function through its water-absorbing and gel structure, eliminating the need for costly film coatings while maintaining functionality.
3Reliability
If nondegradable coating materials are used, then slow/controlled release function is achieved, but environmental pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a biodegradable polyacrylic superabsorbent resin matrix that naturally decomposes in the soil environment. This eliminates the accumulation of nondegradable film materials in the soil, providing an environmentally friendly alternative that maintains the slow/controlled release function while reducing pollution.
4Quantity of substance
If polyacrylic organic superabsorbent resin is used, then water-absorbing and water-retaining property is improved, but salt tolerance and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite system where the polyacrylic superabsorbent resin matrix is combined with fertilizer particles and crosslinking agents. This composite structure enhances the salt tolerance of the base resin while maintaining its water-absorbing properties, and the biodegradable nature reduces cost concerns.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a cost-effective, environmentally friendly fertilizer with improved salt tolerance, enhanced water retention, and gradual nutrient release, reducing environmental impact and improving crop yield and soil health.
Implementation Method 1
Polyacrylic organic superabsorbent resin has excellent water-absorbing and water-retaining property as a three-dimensional network material
Implementation Method 2
The water-absorbing and water-retaining multi-nutrient biodegradable polymeric slow/controlled release fertilizer
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to water-absorbing and slow/controlled release fertilizer, in particular to a water-absorbing and water-retaining multi-nutrient biodegradable polymeric slow/controlled release fertilizer having a semi-interpenetrating network structure, and preparation methods thereof. The method can comprises the steps of: reacting formaldehyde with urea to obtain a hydroxymethyl urea solution; adding acrylic acid and acrylamide monomers into another reactor, and adding a KOH solution to adjust the neutralization degree of acrylic acid, then adding one of inorganic clay, pretreated crop straw or cellulose, then adding initiator, monopotassium phosphate and the prepared hydroxymethyl urea solution sequentially; allowing to react at temperature after being mixed uniformly to obtain a viscous product; and granulating the viscous product and oven drying the same to obtain the fertilizer. The fertilizer prepared according to the present invention has strong water-absorbing and water-retaining capacity, and an excellent slow release performance for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contained as nutrients.