Copper substituted nano-phosphate mineral for its use as a novel fertilizer
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Date
2017
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
Copper containing nanomaterials in apatite-mineral receptacles are envisioned as environmental compliable nutrient supplier to plants. Therefore, this study aimed to fabricate apatite mineral using wet chemistry technique followed. The selected apatite was functionalized, and brought to nanoform by top-down method. The Copper based products were obtained by reacting apatite receptacles in nanostate with copper (Cu2+) which were characterized through nanotechnology tools. Scanning and Transmission Electron micrographs depicted roughly rectangular to square rhomboidal structures existing as short and long columns, thick plates-like and needle-like aggregatesand particle shapes varied from roughly spherical, oval, oblong to cylindrical/ tubular for nano-apatite samples. The SEM-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) detected perceptible adsorption of copper on apatite and confirmed occurrence of 6.69 percent of Cu atom in nanoapatite receptacle. While the SEM-X-ray mapping exhibited spheroid shaped distribution of Cu2+on nanoapatite receptacle. TheFT-IR spectra depicted the characteristic symmetric and asymmetric valence oscillations of the phosphate bond. The HAp showed strong X-ray reflections and most intense peaks appeared in the range of 2θ ~ 12.4 to 40º.The XRD pattern of nanohydroxyapatite shows the occurrence of broad and diffuse peaks which indicate towards low crystallization degree of the sample crystals further accentuating their nanoscale crystal size. Moreover, copper substitution resulted in increase in the peak count only at 002 while it decreased the peak height of (300), (202), (130) these (h,k,l) planes The in vitro hydroponic based corn-seed germination test showed the potential of the nano-product to support plant growth. Therefore, the Cu adsorbed nano-apatite receptacles can be utilized as a beneficial plant-nutrient supplier.