Phosphates immobilization in polymeric microspheres containing biochar: preparation, characterization and slow release in aqueous systems.

Abstract

This project intends to prepare and evaluate the performance of alginate polymeric microspheres containing biochar (biocoal) on the phosphorus immobilization. To get to this purpose, the biochar will be prepared by calcination of sugar cane bagasse at different temperatures (300-700 ° C), which will serve as phosphate ions sorbents. The conditions of microsphere preparation will be optimized varying pH and biochar characteristics and then to facilitate the immobilization and slow release of the species of interest. The maximum amount of phosphate able to sorb on biochar will be determined by adsorption experiments and treatment using the Langmuir model. The microspheres characterization (Alginate-Biochar-Phosphorus) will be made by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy. The amount of phosphate immobilized and released over time by spheres containing biochar will be evaluated in comparison with control experiments (no biochar), using the method Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Therefore, this project may open a new perspective with the use of biochar to immobilize and slow release of nutrients, which can promote the growth of plants and thereby increase agricultural productivity.