Preparation of biochar as a coating material for biochar-coated urea

Biochar was used as a coating material for slow release urea. However, influence of biochar performance on preparing biochar-coated urea (BCU) and nitrogen release characteristics is rarely reported. In this study, total of 24 biochars were prepared and characterized from six biomass residues (rice straw, chicken manure, vinasse, Phyllostachys pubescens, Arundo donax and sugarcane bagasse) at four pyrolysis temperatures (400-700 °C). Grey correlation analysis (GCA) was used to select biochar as a coating material for BCU based on biochar performance indicators. The feasibility (BCU formability) for preparing BCU and characteristics of nitrogen release in BCU based on hydrostatic dissolution test and soil column leaching experiment were evaluated. Biochar prepared at low pyrolysis temperature was not suitable as a coating material for BCU due to low specific surface area. Biochars derived from pyrolysis of Phyllostachys pubescens (B_P6), vinasse (B_V6) and rice straw (B_R6) at 600 °C were selected as coating materials for BCU based on grey correlation analysis (GCA). The adhesion of biochar to urea surface was related to biomass type that preparing biochar. B_V6 was recommended for use as coating material for BCU because the feasibility of the biochars followed the order B_R6 > B_V6 > B_P6, and the practicality of the biochars followed the order B_P6 > B_V6 > B_R6. The findings suggest that biochar with a high specific surface area, hydrophilic oxygen-containing functional groups and low pH is a suitable material for BCU.