Graduation Year

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.S.C.H.

Degree Name

MS in Chemical Engineering (M.S.C.H.)

Degree Granting Department

Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering

Major Professor

Ryan G. Toomey, Ph.D.

Committee Member

David S. Simmons, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Norma Alcantar, Ph.D.

Keywords

Bio Polymers, Cellulose, Crosslinking, Esterification, Fatty Acid Cellulose Esters, Hydrophobic Coating

Abstract

This study aims to address environmental concerns associated with conventional fertilizers, and the persistence of synthetic polymers in soils and investigates the use of biodegradable cellulose esters as sustainable coatings for controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs). The focus is mainly on the synthesis of biodegradable cellulose esters as sustainable coatings for CRFs and applied as a coating on urea fertilizer prills to control nutrient release. The synthesized biodegradable coatings aim to provide effective nutrient delivery over time while minimizing environmental impact. Cellulose esters were synthesized using both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, followed by crosslinking using thiols. Characterization techniques like FTIR, DSC, and SEM were employed to analyze the structural, thermal, and morphological properties of the materials. This work demonstrates the potential of biodegradable polymers to enhance fertilizer efficiency while minimizing environmental impact, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices.

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