Issue 6, 2023

Mechanosynthesis of urea–hydroxybenzoic acid cocrystals as sustained-release nitrogen fertilizer

Abstract

Nitrogen is a key nutrient source in agriculture, which has a crucial impact on crop productivity. Out of available nitrogen fertilizers, urea is identified as the major nitrogen source, accounting for ∼60% of global use. However, due to the low nutrient usage efficiency of urea, it has become unsustainable, as 50–70% nitrogen applied is lost due to leaching, volatilization and nitrification, causing a series of environmental hazards and economic losses. Moreover, the recent global pandemic as well as war disrupt the food supply chain and fertilizer market. Here we used mechanochemistry to prepare a series of novel urea cocrystals that showed sustained-release behavior with significant improvement (∼4 times), lower volatilization, and improved hydration stability compared to commercial urea. Therefore, the proposed urea cocrystal based fertilizer system demonstrates a potential sustained-release nitrogen source in agriculture where excessive use of fertilizer and nutrient loss can be minimised.

Graphical abstract: Mechanosynthesis of urea–hydroxybenzoic acid cocrystals as sustained-release nitrogen fertilizer

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Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
16 Jan 2023
Accepted
14 Jun 2023
First published
16 Jun 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

RSC Sustain., 2023,1, 1416-1422

Mechanosynthesis of urea–hydroxybenzoic acid cocrystals as sustained-release nitrogen fertilizer

T. Rajbongshi, S. Parakatawella, D. Gogoi, P. Deka, N. M. Adassooriya and R. Thakuria, RSC Sustain., 2023, 1, 1416 DOI: 10.1039/D3SU00021D

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