Controlled-Release Fertilizer with Lignin Used to Trap Urea/Hydroxymethylurea/Urea-Formaldehyde Polymers

To improve nitrogen fertilizer efficiency and minimize the negative impact of nitrogen fertilizer on the environment, a novel three-dimensional network polymer material with slow release character was prepared based on hydroxymethylated lignin (HML) and urea/hydroxymethylurea/urea-formaldehyde polymers (U/HU/UF) through solution polymerization. The novel material (Lignin-U/HU/UF) was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra (H-1 NMR), and distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer analysis (DEPT 135). The N release characteristics of the material were determined by soil leaching experiments under laboratory conditions. On this basis, the release profiles of total nitrogen and other nitrogenous compounds (NH4+ and NO3-) were investigated. The experimental data showed that lignin can be used as a majority component in material, which trapped polymers such as urea, hydroxymethylurea, and urea-formaldehyde to improve slow-release properties of fertilizer. The results indicated that the eco-friendly material (Lignin-U/HU/UF) with good controlled-release capacities potentially could be applied in agriculture and horticulture.