Anti-Caking Coatings for Improving the Useful Properties of Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizers with Composition Modeling Using Box–Behnken Design

Granular fertilizers (especially those based on ammonium nitrate (AN)) tend to agglomerate during storage. The aims of this research were to develop effective anti-caking coatings for ammonium nitrate fertilizers while improving the quality of fertilizers and to optimize the composition of effective anti-caking coatings. The influence of the composition of the prepared organic coatings on the effectiveness of preventing the caking of fertilizers was studied by response surface methodology (RSM) using Box–Behnken design (BBD). Additionally, the effect of the developed anti-caking agents on the quality of fertilizers was determined by measuring the crushing strength of the granules. The prepared coatings included fatty amine, stearic acid, surfactant, and paraffin wax. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to analyze these coatings. The morphology of the fertilizers were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Composition studies, based on statistical assessment, showed the coating components had a varying influence on preventing the caking of fertilizers after granulation and after 30 days of storage. The results demonstrated that increasing the content of fatty amines and reducing surfactant in the composition of coating had positive effects on caking prevention. In this study, more effective and economically viable anti-caking coatings were developed. In addition, the present work could serve as a basis to further improve anti-caking coatings.

Applications of primary alkylamines in nanoparticles formation and stabilization

Fatty amines or primary alkyl-amines like hexylamine, Octylamine, Decylamine, Dodecylamine, Tetradecylamine, Hexadecylamine, and Octadecylamine have been used widely in nanoparticles formation, preparation and for stabilization issue; due to their low toxicity and easily utility. The most common use of fatty amines in many research work that has been reviewed is as capping and stabilizing agent for the nanoparticles, and that is related to their abilities to stabilize nanoparticles and reduce Ostwald ripening after nanoparticles formation. Moreover, Fatty amines surfactants have been reported in many research works to assist the formation of monodisperse size because they can be adsorbed on the surface of nanoparticles which limit variability in nanoparticles size and also they can form a coat around nanoparticles that prevent agglomeration or aggregation of nanoparticles. Also, other uses that have been addressed for fatty amines as they served as hydrophobic part due to hydrocarbon chain tail. These tails for fatty amines especially those with long hydrocarbon chain more than 12 carbons like; Dodecylamine C12, tetradecylamine C14, hexadecylamine C16 and octadecylamine C18 can be fabricated and conjugated with other molecules or polymers for many nanoparticles synthesis which can help in the self-assembly of nanoparticles. Moreover, due to their high boiling point; they used as solvents and reaction catalyst facilitate the formation of nanoparticles. Finally, fatty amines surfactant used as the ligating compound also assist the formation of nanoparticles.

Influence of Anti-Caking Agents on the Highly Effective Organic Coatings for Preventing the Caking of Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizers

Ammonium nitrate fertilizers have a tendency to cake during storage. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of organic coatings for preventing the caking of ammonium nitrate fertilizers and to assess the influence of the composition and physicochemical properties of the anti-caking agents used as coatings for fertilizers on their effectiveness. CAN (calcium ammonium nitrate) and AN (ammonium nitrate) fertilizers were coated with three anti-caking agents. A GC–MS technique was used for the identification and quantitative determination of the composition of the organic coatings. The influence of the following physicochemical parameters of the preparations was assessed: density, viscosity, melting point, water content, and base number. The effectiveness of anti-caking agents was determined by measuring the force needed to crush the clumped uncoated and coated fertilizers, which were previously subjected to thermal cycles under load. Composition studies showed that all the tested preparations contained hexadecylamine and octadecylamine in comparable amounts and a slack wax. The results demonstrate that the key parameters of an effective anti-caking agent are low water content, appropriate viscosity, and appropriate content of fatty amines. This study can facilitate the development of innovative coatings with similar or higher efficiency, yet with a reduced negative impact on the environment.