Nano Urea Fertilizer Composition for Stable Nitrogen Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nano urea compositions are unstable due to precipitation, phase separation, and ammonia gas release, leading to shorter shelf-life and limitations in large-scale agricultural use, with low nitrogen use efficiency and environmental pollution concerns.
Innovation Solution
Stabilized nano clusters of ≤100 nm are achieved by incorporating urea with nitrogen-containing chemical entities in tailored matrices, using non-ionic surfactants and polymers, maintaining cluster sizes and zeta potential, and adding acids and antimicrobials to enhance stability and spreadability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If nano urea compositions are prepared to improve nitrogen use efficiency, then nitrogen delivery to plants is enhanced, but the compositions become unstable due to precipitation, phase separation and ammonia gas release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces stabilizing agents and surfactants as intermediary substances that mediate between the nano urea clusters and the aqueous environment. These intermediaries prevent direct interaction between water and unstable nano clusters, thereby preventing precipitation and phase separation while maintaining nitrogen delivery efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite fertiliser compositions by combining nano urea clusters with stabilizing agents, surfactants, and other compatible substances. This composite approach allows the system to maintain both the high nitrogen use efficiency of nano clusters and the stability required for practical storage and application
2Productivity
If nano urea compositions are formulated to enhance nitrogen delivery, then agricultural productivity improves, but shelf-life is reduced due to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary stabilization measures during the formulation stage by incorporating stabilizing agents and surfactants before storage. This preliminary action creates a protected state that prevents degradation over time, thereby extending shelf-life while preserving the nitrogen delivery capability for future agricultural application
3Quantity of substance
If conventional fertilizers are used to provide nitrogen nutrition, then plant growth is supported, but reactive nitrogen residues cause environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments nitrogen into nano-scale clusters that are small enough to be efficiently absorbed by plants through foliar application. This segmentation reduces the quantity of excess nitrogen that would otherwise remain as reactive residues in the environment, thereby minimizing pollution while maintaining adequate nitrogen nutrition
4Stability of the object's composition
If stabilizing agents and surfactants are incorporated to maintain nano cluster stability, then compositional stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentrations and types of stabilizing agents and surfactants to achieve effective stability at practical formulation levels. By carefully controlling these parameters, the patent maintains compositional stability without requiring excessively complex formulations with multiple high-concentration additives
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 compositions maintain stability up to 50°C, prevent agglomeration, and ensure high spreadability and bio-efficacy in field applications, being eco-safe and cost-effective with no toxic effects on beneficial organisms.
Implementation Method 1
non-ionic surfactant, selected from polysorbates or polyglycerol or sorbiton or poly ethylene glycol
Implementation Method 2
The non-ionic surfactants are selected from polysorbates or polyglycerol or sorbiton or poly ethylene glycol
Implementation Method 3
incorporated in polymer matrices to produce stabilized nano clusters of less than 100 nm
Implementation Method 4
The polymer matrices are prepared using polymers selected from Gum Arabic or Gum acacia and pectin in combination with anionic polymers
Implementation Method 5
amino acid, polymer matrix, and optionally acids and antimicrobial agents
Implementation Method 6
Amino acids are further added
Implementation Method 7
optionally acids and antimicrobial agents. The stable nano fertilizer compositions of the present invention retain their characteristics during storage even at temperatures up to 50° C.
Implementation Method 8
antimicrobial agents. The stable nano fertilizer compositions of the present invention retain their characteristics during storage
Implementation Method 9
maintaining cluster sizes and zeta potential
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to aqueous fertiliser compositions containing stabilized nano clusters of ≤100 nm and preparation thereof. The aqueous fertiliser compositions containing stabilized nano clusters of ≤100 nm comprising sources of nitrogen such as urea optionally in combination with thiourea, a first ammonium salt, a second ammonium salt either alone or in combination, non-ionic surfactant. amino acid. polymer matrix, and optionally acids and antimicrobial agents. The aqueous fertilizer compositions are stable and retain their characteristics during storage even at temperatures up to 50° C. and maintains the zeta potential of <−25 mV. The nano urea formulation exhibits static contact angle of 40° to 50°, with the surface tension of the droplets ranging between 20 to 30 mN/m thereby enhancing their spreadability and efficacy. The present invention further provides a process for the production of the said aqueous fertilizer compositions.