Asian Journal of Green Chemistry
3.8(Q2)
CiteScore
27
h-index

Modified Chitosan–Polyvinyl Alcohol Membrane as Environmentally Friendly Slow-Release Urea Fertilizer

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

Sari Edi Cahyaningrum 1
Fitriari Izzatunnisa Muhaimin 2
Retno Ariadi Lusiana 3
Taufik Abdillah Natsir 4
Betari Marena 1
Amalia Putri Purnamasari 1

1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Jl. Ketintang, Gayungan, East Java, Surabaya, 60231, Indonesia

2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Jl. Ketintang, Gayungan, East Java, Surabaya, 60231, Indonesia

3 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Diponegoro University, Jl. Jl. Prof. Soedarto, Tembalang, Kota Semarang, Jawa Tengah 50275, Indonesia

4 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Sekip Utara Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia

10.48309/ajgc.2026.571976.1920
Abstract
Slow-release fertilizers (SRFs) can improve nutrient use efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. In this study, an environmentally friendly SRF was prepared using chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), urea, and calcium, aiming to enhance urea absorption by plants. The membrane was fabricated using the casting method, in which the polymer solution was poured into Petri dishes and the solvent was evaporated to obtain a dry SRF membrane. The results showed that increasing the PVA content in the SRF matrix reduced the porosity from 9.3×10⁻⁴ to 5.4×10⁻⁴ and increased the swelling degree from 105% to 121%. Scanning electron microscopy revealed pores on the membrane surface, allowing gradual urea release through diffusion. The release kinetics of samples P0, P1, and P2 followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, while P3 followed first-order kinetics. These findings indicate that the chitosan–PVA membrane can serve as an effective slow-release urea fertilizer, promoting plant growth while being environmentally sustainable.

Graphical Abstract

Modified Chitosan–Polyvinyl Alcohol Membrane as Environmentally Friendly Slow-Release Urea Fertilizer

Keywords

Slow-release fertilizer
Urea
Chitosan
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)
Membrane
Controlled nutrient

Subjects

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Asian Journal of Green Chemistry

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 08 February 2026

  • Receive Date 10 December 2025
  • Revise Date 15 January 2026
  • Accept Date 01 February 2026

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