Multi doped Hydroxyapatite-Urea Nano fertilizer: Synthesis and Controlled Micronutrient Release

Authors

  • Ezekiel Iliya Department of Ceramic Technology, School of Applied Science and Technology, Auchi Polytechnic Auchi P.M.B 13 Edo State, Nigeria. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26765/DRJEIT14235180

Keywords:

Hydroxyapatite, urea, nanofertilizer, controlled release, nanocomposite, sustainable agriculture, ICP-OES

Abstract

Hydroxyapatite HAp-urea composite based nano fertilizer constitutes a novel approach of incorporating variety of ionic species into HAp hexagonal lattice structure with control release capabilities. Evidently, it is a veritable and sustainable alternative to commercial fertilizer in enhancing plant yield in nutrient deficient soil. In this research, HAp doped with multi ionic species of Mg2+, Si4+ and Cu2+ (Ca10-w/2-x-ySiw+MgxCuy(PO4)6-w(OH)2-w) with nutrient and subsequently form a  HAp-urea nano fertilizer composite via chemical precipitation route. The following HAp to nano-urea matrix-filler ratio 100 mL: 0.15 g was adopted. The crystallinity, chemical constituent and nanoparticle sizes was investigated using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).  Micronutrient ion release of   Ca2+, P5+, Mg2+ and Cu2+ was examined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) in water sample and XRF in soil sample. Monitored plant foliage activities was analyzed by applying 10g of the produced HAp-urea nanofertilizer composite in comparison to 10g of commercial fertilizer on selected plants. Ultimately, the multidoped HAp-urea composite based nanofertilizer showed superior plant growth height (PGH) of HU: 54, HUMS: 58 and HUMSC: 56 cm as compared to commercial fertilizer with PGH of 36 cm. 

Hydroxyapatite HAp-urea composite based nano fertilizer constitutes a novel approach of incorporating variety of ionic species into HAp hexagonal lattice structure with control release capabilities. Evidently, it is a veritable and sustainable alternative to commercial fertilizer in enhancing plant yield in nutrient deficient soil. In this research, HAp doped with multi ionic species of Mg2+, Si4+ and Cu2+ (Ca10-w/2-x-ySiw+MgxCuy(PO4)6-w(OH)2-w) with nutrient and subsequently form a HAp-urea nano fertilizer composite via chemical precipitation route. The following HAp to nano-urea matrix-filler ratio 100 mL: 0.15 g was adopted. The crystallinity, chemical constituent and nanoparticle sizes was investigated using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Micronutrient ion release of Ca2+, P5+, Mg2+ and Cu2+ was examined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) in water sample and XRF in soil sample. Monitored plant foliage activities was analyzed by applying 10g of the produced HAp-urea nanofertilizer composite in comparison to 10g of commercial fertilizer on selected plants. Ultimately, the multidoped HAp-urea composite based nanofertilizer showed superior plant growth height (PGH) of HU: 54, HUMS: 58 and HUMSC: 56 cm as compared to commercial fertilizer with PGH of 36 cm.

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Published

2026-01-14

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026): Direct Research Journal of Engineering and Information Technology

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Iliya, E. (2026). Multi doped Hydroxyapatite-Urea Nano fertilizer: Synthesis and Controlled Micronutrient Release. Direct Research Journal of Engineering and Information Technology, 14(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.26765/DRJEIT14235180