Journal of Environmental Biology

Maize stalks derived nanosilica: Synthesis, characterization and its kinetics in soil

B. Rakesh¹, C. Thiyagarajan²*, M. Subbu¹, J.S. Sharmila³, S. Alagarsamy⁴ and C. Narayanasamy⁵     

¹Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, India

²Department of Sericulture, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam-641 301, India

³Centre for Agricultural Nano Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003,, India

⁴Department of Crop Physiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, India

⁵Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, India

Received: 02 February 2024                   Revised: 09 March 2024                   Accepted: 04 May 2024

*Corresponding Author Email : chitdeshwari@tnau.ac.in                      *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5383-7718

Abstract

Aim: The current study aimed to synthesize nanosilica from maize stalks at various calcination temperatures and to evaluate silicon release pattern in soil.

Methodology: Nanosilica was synthesized by sol-gel method through thermal decomposition (500-700 ^oC) of maize stalks and evaluated for silicon release with varied levels (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 mg kg^-1) through an incubation experiment and the data obtained was fitted in various kinetic models.

Results: Nanosilica synthesized from maize stalks calcined at 700 ^oC showed spherical morphology with little agglomeration, amorphous nature and higher purity than the products obtained at 500 ^oC and 600 ^oC. Incubation experiment revealed that application of nanosilica at 40 mg kg^-1 increased the available silicon upto 60 days with slight decrease at 80 days. The silicon release pattern from nanosilica was fitted in kinetic equations and observed that pseudo-second order equation describes the silicon release in a better way than other models.

Interpretation: The present study showed a sustainable approach to convert maize stalks into valuable nanosilica, addressing the pressing issue of agri-waste management. The nanosilica synthesized from maize stalks calcined at 700^oC exhibited promising characteristics and good silicon release pattern which can be alternatively used as a fertilizer source in agriculture.

Key words: Agglomeration, Available silicon, Kinetics, Maize stalks, Nanosilica

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