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Fabrication and characterization of lightweight aggregates with expanded perlite and NPK nutrient incorporation
Author(s)
Date Issued
June 1, 2025
Type
Article
Abstract
This study focuses on the development of porous lightweight aggregates incorporated with NPK fertilizer as a sustainable nutrient carrier for agricultural applications. The integration of expanded perlite (EP) as a pore-forming agent enabled the production of lightweight aggregates (EP-LWAs) at lower sintering temperatures (900 °C) while maintaining high porosity and water absorption properties, reducing energy consumption compared to conventional high-temperature ceramic processing. The optimized EP-LWAs exhibited a bulk density of 1.15 g/cm3, porosity of 46.09 %, and water absorption of 40.28 %, ensuring enhanced nutrient retention capacity. The fertilizer incorporation process was achieved using a simple vacuum infiltration technique, effectively loading the pellets with 1.2 % nitrogen (N), 2.6 % phosphorus (P), and 1.2 % potassium (K), surpassing typical soil nutrient levels and exhibiting comparable NPK content to organic fertilizers. These results highlight the potential of EP-LWAs as an energy-efficient and eco-friendly planting materials, offering a cost-effective for sustainable agriculture, green roof, and vertical gardening applications.
Citation
Open Ceramics, 22, 2025