Synthesis of Nanosized Cellulose Beads from Wastepaper for Control Release Fertilizer
| dc.contributor.author | Kimberly Tay Wei Wei | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-07-30T03:28:19Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.description | Cellulose from wastepaper is a promising raw material for synthesizing biodegradable nanosized cellulose beads (nCBs). As the environment is concerned with unsustainable agriculture management and disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW), controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) show promising roles in sustainable modern agriculture activities compared to conventional fertilizers. Green synthesis methods of water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsion and nanoprecipitation are not only straightforward and simple but also a practical alternative to obtain nCBs as CRFs. The purity of extracted cellulose was similar to that of commercial α-cellulose by FTIR analysis. The acid solution can be repeated over four cycles without affecting the purity of cellulose and the mean particle size of nCBs, ranging between 36.8 ± 7.2 nm and 53.8 ± 9.2 nm by W/O microemulsion. Other synthesis parameters were shown to affect the morphology and mean particle size of nCBs, such as cellulose concentrations, Span 80 concentrations and stirring speed. The optimal physical conditions to fabricate spherical-sized nCBs are a medium-sized egg-shaped stirring bar and a flat-bottom flask. For the nanoprecipitation technique, the mean particle size and yield of nCBs are significantly influenced by cellulose concentrations, the addition of Tween 80 and the volume ratio of solvent to antisolvent. The surface morphology and mean particle size of nCBs were analyzed using FESEM and TEM, showing non-uniform spherical shape and size due to agglomeration, but with smooth morphologies. The yield of nCBs correlates with the mean particle size, particularly agglomeration, which was observed to reduce the yield. Between these two methods, nanoprecipitation is preferred over W/O microemulsion in producing a better yield of nCBs. Also, the good swelling and water-conserving characteristics of nCBs by nanoprecipitation exhibited promising urea loading. The highest iv loading capacity is achieved at 173.85 ± 1.00 mg/g by nCBs of 0.50% w/v cellulose concentration or mean particle size with 30.5 ± 8.3 nm owing to their high BET surface area at 9.32 m2/g. The urea release profiles in water and different kinds of soil under frequent watering conditions are demonstrated for 96 hours. During the urea release, augmentation in soil properties, including pH, soil moisture and electrical conductivity, is noted. The deterioration in the soil properties over time is observed, except for the soil moisture. A study on the effect of nCBs in soil without urea is also conducted. The water-swollen nCBs only slightly improve soil pH and electrical conductivity. Specifically, nCBs of 30.5 ± 8.3 nm show a satisfactory increase in these properties. However, soil moisture measurement cannot be obtained due to insufficient swollen-nCBs added. Based on the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, the urea release kinetic mechanism is proven to be quasi-Fickian diffusion-controlled. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://scholarhub.unimas.my/handle/123456789/1334 | |
| dc.language.iso | English | |
| dc.publisher | UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK | |
| dc.relation.ispartofseries | Faculty of Resource Science and Technology | |
| dc.subject | Wastepaper, nanosized cellulose beads, microemulsion, nanoprecipitation, controlled-release fertilizers. | |
| dc.title | Synthesis of Nanosized Cellulose Beads from Wastepaper for Control Release Fertilizer | |
| dc.type | Masters |