Back to Search Start Over

Thermal Preparation and Application of a Novel Silicon Fertilizer Using Talc and Calcium Carbonate as Starting Materials

Authors :
Xuehong Zhang
Zhonghua Wei
Kong Chhuon
Chen Gongning
Chao Wang
Chengfenghe Jin
Hua Lin
Jie Zhang
Yian Wang
Junjian Zheng
Source :
Molecules, Volume 26, Issue 15, Molecules, Vol 26, Iss 4493, p 4493 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2021.

Abstract

The deficiency of available silicon (Si) incurred by year-round agricultural and horticultural practices highlights the significance of Si fertilization for soil replenishment. This study focuses on a novel and economical route for the synthesis of Si fertilizer via the calcination method using talc and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as starting materials. The molar ratio of talc to CaCO3 of 1:2.0, calcination temperature of 1150 °C and calcination time of 120 min were identified as the optimal conditions to maximize the available Si content of the prepared Si fertilizer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characterizations elucidate the principles of the calcination temperature-dependent microstructure evolution of Si fertilizers, and the akermanite Ca2Mg(Si2O7) and merwinite Ca3Mg(SiO4)2 were identified as the primary silicates products. The results of release and solubility experiments suggest the content of available metallic element and slow-release property of the Si fertilizer obtained at the optimum preparation condition (Si-OPC). The surface morphology and properties of Si-OPC were illuminated by the results of scanning electron microscope (SEM), surface area and nitrogen adsorption analysis. The acceleration action of CaCO3 in the decomposition process of talc was demonstrated by the thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) test. The pot experiment corroborates that 5 g kg−1 soil Si-OPC application sufficed to facilitate the pakchoi growth by providing nutrient elements. This evidence indicates the prepared Si fertilizer as a promising candidate for Si-deficient soil replenishment.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14203049
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Molecules
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....ee87405d1802b76346a565ee54f29f03
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26154493