Urea-silica nanohybrids with potential applications for slow and precise release of nitrogen

Abstract The adoption of nanoparticles as carrier matrices in the production of hybrid functional materials is futuristic in agriculture applications. In this study, a greener, modified in-situ sol-gel route was employed to synthesize urea-silica nanohybrids with a high urea loading of 36% (w/w) and a loading efficiency of ~83%. Characterization studies indicated the successful incorporation of urea into silica nanoparticles and the formation of strong bonds between the nanoparticles and urea molecules without any substantial modification to the structure and morphology of silica nanoparticles. Aforesaid observations were further corroborated by the slow and sustained release behavior exhibited by nanohybrids in water for more than ten days. The developed urea-silica nanohybrids could be utilized as a potential candidate for slow-release nitrogen fertilizers.