Abstract:
An iron-phosphate glass fertilizer was created and analyzed using various techniques. A bulk glass with the composition 65P 15K 13 Ca 7Fe was created. This glass was crushed and used to create microspheres via an oxygen propane torch. SEM and optical images confirmed the size of the microspheres produced was between 150-400 micrometers in diameter. EDS results via SEM indicated that calcium and potassium were lost in the creation of microspheres. XRD tests confirmed a glass was made. UV Vis testing on the bulk glass confirmed the greater presence of Fe3+ ions in the glass vs Fe2+. DSC testing showed the Tg of the glass created was about 306 degrees Celsius. The dissolution rate of the bulk glass over a 6-day test was shown to be an average of 0.6 micrograms/mm2/day, with the rate peaking after 1 hour at 1.05 micrograms/mm2/day and finishing the 6-day test at 0.2 micrograms/mm2/day, releasing 60ppm of ions into solution. pH testing on this water showed that the microspheres produced an acidic solution when placed in water. The water from these tests was analyzed for ion concentration via UV Vis Spectrophotometry. It was found that after 6 days, 81 ppm phosphate and 7ppm of iron were found in the solution.
