Polymeric structures as host matrices for-release nutrients: environmentally friendly fertilizers

• Grant number: 19/02535-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: May 01, 2019 - April 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Roselena Faez
• Grantee: Roselena Faez
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Araras , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Claudinei Fonseca Souza

Abstract

The main objective of this project is the preparation, characterization, and application of polymeric structures as host matrices for programmable release nutrients in soil and plant. The project cover three main goals: 1) Preparation of nanocellulose/nutrient (NC/nutrient) and chitosan/nanocellulose/nutrient () microparticles by spray drying; 2) Thermal processing of PHB/starch and PHB/TPS composites added with NC/nutrient microparticles; 3) Preparation of composites by mechanical pressing in three layers using hemicellulose and cellulignin fibers as external layers for coating the Cs/NC/nutrient and NC/nutrient microparticles. Additionally, these materials will be characterized thermally, structurally and morphologically, and the release mechanism in water and soil will be evaluated according to the structures obtained and related to the biodegradation process, which will also be evaluated.The motivation is the use of sustainable polymer matrices (source of raw material, processes for manufacturing and post-use biodegradation) and its application in the soil by in situ monitoring of the nutrient release with an electromagnetic technique that evaluates the ionic movement in systems particulates, such as soil. The search for environmentally friendly fertilizers has grown in recent decades due to the innumerable advantages to agriculture, such as increasing the efficiency of fertilizer use providing regular and continuous levels for plant nutrition over time without harming the soil post- use.The polymers, Cs, PHB and starch offer unique opportunities to be used in environmentally friendly fertilizer formulations and the study of methods of preparing composites with nanocellulose to encapsulate ionic nutrients is innovative in the area. The group has been working with both Cs and PHB using clay minerals and sugarcane bagasse and previous studies demonstrate the potential of using these materials to increase the efficiency of fertilizers. It is important to highlight that the use of the TDR technique for in situ monitoring the nutrient release in the soil is innovative in this area of agricultural materials and will provide information quickly and accurately on soil and plant efficiency from short to long term.Finally, the chemistry applied to agriculture is one of the important aspects of the project, mainly due to the multidisciplinary approach of the UFSCar -Araras. Also is a consolidation of a nucleus that brings together different professionals in a unique thematic, the environment.This project has an estimated duration of 24 months and will be developed by two UFSCar faculty members. During this period, we intend to continue innovating in the area of materials applied to agriculture and the environment and to expand the research group already consolidated in polymeric materials at UFSCar- Araras with the regular training of human resources (undergraduate and graduate) in this area. (AU)

Scientific publications

(7)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PEREIRA, TAMIRES DOS SANTOS; DIAS NEVES BINOTTO, VILMA DAMIAN; FAEZ, ROSELENA. Multilayer films of carboxymethylcellulose/zeolite as smart materials for macro and micronutrients delivery. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, v. 302, AUG 1 2020. (19/02535-5, 18/03235-2)

FRANCA, DEBORA; DE BARROS, JOAO RICARDO SHIBATA; FAEZ, ROSELENA. Spray-dried cellulose nanofibrils microparticles as a vehicle for enhanced efficiency fertilizers. Cellulose, v. 28, n. 3, JAN 2021. (19/02535-5, 17/24595-4)

ANGELO, LUCIANA MORETTI; FRANCA, DEBORA; FAEZ, ROSELENA. Biodegradation and viability of chitosan-based microencapsulated fertilizers. Carbohydrate Polymers, v. 257, APR 1 2021. (17/24595-4, 19/02535-5)

CHIAREGATO, CAMILA GRUBER; FRANCA, DEBORA; MESSA, LUCAS LUIZ; PEREIRA, TAMIRES DOS SANTOS; FAEZ, ROSELENA. review of advances over 20 years on polysaccharide-based polymers applied as enhanced efficiency fertilizer. Carbohydrate Polymers, v. 279, MAR 1 2022. (14/06566-9, 19/02793-4, 18/03235-2, 17/24595-4, 19/02535-5, 17/03980-7)

FRANCA, DEBORA; ANGELO, LUCIANA M.; SOUZA, CLAUDINEI F.; FAEZ, ROSELENA. Biobased Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/Starch/Cellulose Nanofibrils for Nutrients Coatings. ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS, v. 3, n. 6, p. 3227-3237, JUN 11 2021. (19/02535-5, 17/24595-4)

CHIAREGATO, CAMILA GRUBER; FAEZ, ROSELENA. Micronutrients encapsulation by starch as an enhanced efficiency fertilizer. Carbohydrate Polymers, v. 271, NOV 1 2021. (19/02535-5, 19/02793-4)

MESSA, LUCAS LUIZ; FAEZ, ROSELENA. Spray-dried chitosan/nanocellulose microparticles: synergistic effects for the sustained release of NPK fertilizer. Cellulose, v. 27, n. 17, p. 10077-10093, NOV 2020. (17/03980-7, 19/02535-5)