High selectivity and affinity of Linde type F towards NH+4 on application as a soil amendment for maize growth

Abstract

Linde type F (LTF) the synthetic form of edingtonite (EDI) was synthesised in K form and ion exchanged with NH4NO3. Zeolite was then characterised before and after ion exchange by XRD, XRF, TGA and SEM. Ammonium exchanged LTF was introduced as a soil amendment (1%, 2% and 4% zeolite to soil loadings) to look at growth of maize plant (Zea mays) and compared with a control comprising of NPK fertiliser added soil. Results showed LTF had a very high selectivity upon ion exchange and high affinity when introduced as a soil amendment towards NH+4. Results were promising for ion exchange reactions in a zeolite–soil system, whereby cations present in soil exchanged for K+ more freely than NH+4 present in the LTF framework.