https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/877 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:11:44 GMT 2026-04-16T08:11:44Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/4734 Title: Nano-based slow releasing fertilizers for enhanced agricultural productivity Authors: Madzokere, Tatenda Crispen; Murombo, L.T.; Chiririwa, Haleden Abstract: Nutrient losses from conventional fertilizers are one of the challenges being faced in the agricultural sector. Nano fertilizers are promising candidates for the fertilizer industry with a huge potential to improve nutrient retention for optimal growth. We report the synthesis and application of a slow releasing nanocomposite fertilizer with a high potential to sustain crop production. Nanotechnology is an emerging technology with a potential to improve agricultural yield by taking advantage of the salient features of nanostructured materials. Nano-encapsulated conventional fertilizers help in slow and sustained release of nutrients over an extended period of time. Comparative studies on the performance of the nanocomposite fertilizer and a conventional Compound D. Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) fertilizer were done. The nanocomposite fertilizer was characterized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) for surface studies and particle size analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for chemical composition studies, Powder X-ray Diffraction (P’XRD) for structural analysis and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDAX/EDS) for elemental composition analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) for surface analysis. The slow release fertilizer exhibited a superior performance over the bulk or conventional fertilizers for instance, phosphate leaching tests conducted for a period of 50 min showed a leached phosphate concentration of 0.002 mol/dm3 and 0.008 mol/dm3 respectively for the slow release nano fertilizer and conventional NPK fertilizer respectively. The research work has revealed the huge capability of nano-based slow releasing fertilizers in improving plant nutrient availability for enhanced growth. It was realized that nanotechnology can stimulate the generation of much more cost effective and smarter fertilizers for improved crop yield copyright information to be updated in production process. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/4734 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Madzokere, Tatenda Crispen Murombo, L.T. Chiririwa, Haleden https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/4733 Title: Nano-silica based mineral flotation frother: synthesis and flotation of platinum group metals (PGMs) Authors: Madzokere, Tatenda Crispen; Rusere, Kudzai; Chiririwa, Haleden Abstract: We report the synthesis and application of nanomaterials in the field of mineral processing. Nanotechnology is a potentially disruptive technology with a huge potential to open up new avenues of enhancing mineral recovery and grades in the domain of mineral froth flotation. In this investigation a solid, nano-silica (NS) based frother was synthesized using the sol–gel method for test works involving Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) and associated base metals. The nano flotation reagent was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for chemical structure analysis (FTIR), Powder X-Ray Diffraction (P’XRD) for structural analysis and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) for surface morphology and particle size distribution, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) for elemental analysis. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was used for mineral assaying after flotation. The generated nano-silica had an average particle size distribution of 35–41 nm. The flotation performance of the nano-frother was benchmarked with a commercial conventional frother (SasFrother). At an optimum nano-frother dosage of 20 g/t a recovery of 73.8%, 77.0%, 84.0% and 78.2% platinum, palladium, nickel and copper respectively was realized. However, the associated grades were lower when compared with the conventional frother. On the other hand, increasing nano-silica dosage above the optimal dosage resulted in a reduction of the actual recovery for all the metals. Interestingly, the dosage requirement for the nano-frother required for optimal mineral recover was much lower than that of the conventional frother. Based on these findings, opportunities at nano scale can proffer numerous novel materials with exceptional properties for application in mineral froth flotation. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/4733 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Madzokere, Tatenda Crispen Rusere, Kudzai Chiririwa, Haleden https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/4524 Title: Improvement of low-quality diesel through the use of biodiesel Authors: Machingura, Tinotenda; Muleya, Edwina Abstract: The transportation of petroleum diesel, petrol and jet fuel using the same pipeline lead to the formation of an off-specification product known as the interface. The interface cannot be use on its own as it does not meet the quality specifications. It should be blended with a product of higher quality. Failure to blend the interface results in loss of the product and costs will arise that are associated with its disposal. In this paper, the authors examine the use of jatropha biodiesel to improve the quality of the interface. The tests were performed using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) methods. Jatropha biodiesel was used since it is being produced locally. Blending ratios of 3%, 5% and 7% interface were used and the biodiesel was found to have average flash point values of 138 oC, 135 oC and 132 oC respectively. These values are greater than 130 oC which is the minimum expected value. The sulphur content and acid number improved indicating that biodiesel can be effectively used to improve the quality of petroleum diesel. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/4524 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z Machingura, Tinotenda Muleya, Edwina https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/1796 Title: The optimization of lead electrodeposition from leachant of lead laden cupels Authors: Mpofu, IInnocencia S.; Muleya, Eddwina; Mutatu, Washington Abstract: Disposal of lead laden cupels is proving problematic to mining and metallurgical companies due to environmental and health issues. In this study the optimization of operation parameters for the electrode position of lead metal from acetic acid leachant was carried out. The effects of voltage, temperature, concentration, size of electrode and the effect of the space between the electrodes were investigated. Acetic acid (10%) was used as a leachant in the optimization process. The optimum voltage was found to be 6 V, with the best operating temperature of 20°C. The amount of lead deposited increased with increase in concentration of the lead in solution up to an optimum concentration of 2271.1 ppm. However the extraction efficiencies tended to decrease with increase in concentration. The optimum inter-electrode distance was observed to be 4 cm with 0.5 cm radius electrodes that gave the largest extraction efficiency (70.9%). Acetic acid (10%) was preferred as a leachant compared to EDTA (0.1 M) because it gave higher leaching and electrode position efficiencies (73.3% vs 68.1) and (95% vs 90.8) respectively. EDTA (0.1 M) was however found to be less corrosive to the carbon electrodes as observed with acetic acid. Other advantages of acetic acid are that it is cheaper, can be obtained from renewable sources and is easy to use because there is no need for constant pH monitoring and adjustments. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/1796 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z Mpofu, IInnocencia S. Muleya, Eddwina Mutatu, Washington