Role of urea and melamine as synergic co-plasticizers for starch composites for fertilizer application

Herein we describe the interaction of starch, urea, and melamine (C3N6H6) in composite materials for use as controlled-release plant fertilizer. Slow-release fertilizers are important in minimizing nutrient losses due to run-off, leaching, and other factors. Urea is an effective plasticizer for starch and is an important nitrogen fertilizer throughout the world. Melamine also has high nitrogen content and could be combined with urea-starch...