Environment-friendly synthesis of Feldspar-KH2PO4complexes by mechanochemical reactionMohammad Alrbaihat1,2*, Ehab AlShamaileh2and Aiman E. Al-Rawajfeh31Teacher Training Institute, Emirates School Establishment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates2Department of Chemistry, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan3Department of Chemical Engineering, Tafila Technical University, Tafila, Jordan*Correspondence:Mohammad Alrbaihat,moh.irbeihat83@hotmail.comReceived:02 January 2023;Accepted:06 January 2023;Published:30 January 2023Novel materials from Feldspar as clay material and KH2PO4(KHP) are prepared by grinding in a planetary ball millin a mechanochemical process, one of the most effective ways to synthesize slow-release fertilizers. In two paths,tests were carried out with (3) weight ratio of Feldspar: KH2PO4contents, at mill the incorporation of KH2PO4andthe liberation of K + and PO43−ions into solution were assessed at rotating speeds ranging from 200 to 700 rpmfor 2◦h, and at milling periods ranging from 1, 2, and 3◦h. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction(XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ion chromatography (IC) were employed to analyze theproduced materials. The results confirmed that the mechanochemistry process is a sustainable chemistry methodto produce amorphous Feldspars containing KH2PO4. After dispersing Feldspar and KH2PO4in water for 24◦h,K+and PO43−ions were measured. Based on these studies, it has been demonstrated that intercalated Feldsparcould function as a carrier of K+ions and release PO34−ions as a slow fertilizer.Keywords:mechanochemical, intelligent fertilizers, efficiency, nutrients, ball milling, slow-release, feldsparIntroductionAs global food consumption continues to rise in the comingyears. Global food demand will increase approximately 60%by 2050 compared to 2005, according to the United Nations’Food and Agriculture Organization (1). Crop production hasto be increased in agriculture to fulfill global food demand.One of the most efficient ways to spur plant growth isfertilizer, which can play a significant role in increasingcrop productivity (2). Environmental pollution is caused byfertilizer use, which results in health problems. Several factorscontribute to environmental pollution, including the highsolubility of nutrients and their leaching followed by soilmobility (3).Plants can only use a small number of chemical fertilizersbecause they are highly soluble in water. Several processesaffect the rest of them when they are applied to a field,such as adsorption, degradation, runoff, and leaching. Inother words, soluble chemical fertilizers are quite ineffective.Because fertilizers are derived from inorganic anions such asnitrate and phosphate, excessive application of fertilizers cancause contamination of surface water and soil (4).There have been several types of slow-release fertilizersmade from different materials, including various minerals(5–8). Slow-release mineral fertilizers have gained a lotof attention for their environment-friendly properties andability to maintain soil fertility. Minerals are usually chargedto protect nutrients from rapid degradation as well as havinga crystal structure (8–13).The mineral feldspar is the most common one found inrocks. A group of minerals that are known collectively asfeldspar is a mineral with the chemical formula x Al (Al,Si)3O8, where x might be calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), orpotassium (K). Because of their high alumina and alkalicontents, feldspars are predominantly utilized in industrialapplications (14). Feldspar is used to describe a wide rangeof materials. We use feldspar in a substantial number ofeveryday products, including drinking glasses, windshields,1
Authors:   Teacher Training Institute, Emirates School Establishment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Alrbaihat Mohammad , AlShamaileh Ehab ,   Department of Chemistry, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan, Al-Rawajfeh Aiman E. ,   Department of Chemical Engineering, Tafila Technical University, Tafila, Jordan
Published: September 2023

Novel materials from Feldspar as clay material and KH2PO4(KHP) are prepared by grinding in a planetary ball millin a mechanochemical process, one of the most effective ways to synthesize slow-release fertilizers. In two paths,tests were carried out with (3) weight ratio of Feldspar: KH2PO4contents, at mill the incorporation of KH2PO4andthe liberation of K + and PO43−ions into solution were assessed at rotating speeds ranging from 200 to 700 rpmfor 2◦h, and at milling periods ranging from 1, 2, and 3◦h. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction(XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ion chromatography (IC) were employed to analyze theproduced materials. The results confirmed that the mechanochemistry process is a sustainable chemistry methodto produce amorphous Feldspars containing KH2PO4. After dispersing Feldspar and KH2PO4in water for 24◦h,K+and PO43−ions were measured. Based on these studies, it has been demonstrated that intercalated Feldsparcould function as a carrier of K+ions and release PO34−ions as a slow fertilizer