104 includes an anionic functional group at its head, such as a sulfate, sulfonate, phosphate, or carboxylate. The wetting agent 104 may include a cationic head group such as pH-dependent primary, secondary, or tertiary amines, permanently charged quarternary ammonium salts, cetrimonium bromide (CTAB), ceylpyridinium chloride (CPC), benzalkonium chloride (BAC), benzethonium chloride (BZT), dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride, or dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB). The wetting agent 104 may include a zwitterionic surfactant having both cationic and anionic centers attached to the same molecule.

The wetting agent 104 may include a non-ionic surfactant with covalently bonded oxygen-containing hydrophilic groups bonded to hydrophobic parent structures. Non-ionic wetting agents 104 are less sensitive to water hardness than anionic surfactants, and they foam less strongly. The differences between individual non-ionic surfactants are slight, and the selection may be governed based on cost and special properties such as effectiveness, efficiency, toxicity, dermatological compatibility, and biodegradability.

By way of example, the wetting agent 104 may specifically include one or more of saponin, surfactant compounds extracted from yucca, siloxane polyalkyleneoxide copolymer, polyalkyleneoxide, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, nonylphenol ethoxylate, polyethylene glycol, alkoxylate, polyalkylene heptamethyltrisiloxane, and so forth. The wetting agent 104 may additionally include one or more coupling agents.

The fertilizer composition 100 may optionally include dehydrated nanoparticles 106 in combination with the granular fertilizer 102 and the wetting agent 104. The dehydrated nanoparticles 106 may specifically include synthetic ion-exchange nanoparticles as described in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a schematic illustration of an ion exchange nanoparticle 200. The ion exchange nanoparticle 200 described in FIG. 2 may be desiccated to its dehydrated form (see dehydrated nanoparticles 106), and then combined with the granular fertilizer 102 and wetting agent 104 to form the fertilizer composition 100. The ion exchange nanoparticle 200 includes a structural particle 202 arranged in a crystalline structure as illustrated in FIG. 2 or other multiple-particle structure. The ion exchange nanoparticle 200 further includes a plurality of native ions 206 to be exchanged with a plurality of selected ions 204.

The structural particle 202 may include, for example, clay, zeolite, or another mineral. The structural particle 202 includes a plurality of cation exchange sites and may have a high cation exchange capacity (CEC). The structural particle 202 is deemed to have a high cation exchange capacity if the structural particle 202 comprises 10 centimoles of charge per kilogram (cmolc/kg) or more available for exchange. The structural particle 202 includes one or more native ions 206 that are attracted to the cation exchange sites. The structural particle 202 is processed to synthesize the ion exchange nanoparticle 200 by causing the one or more native ions 206 to exchange with one or more selected ions 204. The one or more selected ions 204 may include suitable fertilizer ions or agricultural product ions, including those discussed in connection with the granular fertilizer 102. After processing, the ion exchange nanoparticle 200 includes a shell formed by the structural particle 202 and further includes a plurality of selected ions 204 attracted to the cation exchange sites formed by the structural particle 202. In a perfect implementation, each of the native ions 206 is exchanged with a known ion 204.

The ion exchange nanoparticle 200 is applied to plants and enables improved uptake of fertilizer and/or agricultural products by the plants when compared with traditional methods. The structural particle 202 of the ion exchange nanoparticle 200 enables the plants to absorb the fertilizer ions more efficiently and thereby increases the effectiveness of fertilizing the plants.

The ion exchange nanoparticle 200 can pass through a plant's cell walls and be absorbed by the plant. The ion exchange nanoparticle 200 increases the absorption of the one or more selected ions 204 that have taken the place of the one or more native ions 206 attracted to the structural particle 202, and this enables the ion exchange nanoparticle 200 to deliver the one or more selected ions 204 to the plant. The structure of the ion exchange nanoparticle 200 can enter the plant cells and deliver each of the unique fertilizer ions to the plant and increase the plant's fertilizer uptake of the delivered fertilizer ions.

Ion exchange (cation exchange or anion exchange) is a chemical process where ions are exchanged between two electrolytes or between an electrolyte solution and a complex. This process includes both cations (ions with a positive charge) and anions (ions with a negative charge). Ion exchangers (complexes) can include synthetic gel polymers or natural substances. It will be appreciated that the structural particle 202 of the disclosure is the complex. Ion exchange on a complex occurs when preexisting ions on a complex are released in exchange for the binding of ions that have a higher affinity for the complex. This process can be reversed by introducing a saturated solution of the lower affinity ions to the complex.

The structural particle 202 may be in the consolidated or aggregate form. In an implementation, the structural particle 202 is a zeolite of the zeolite group in the tectosilicate family and can be naturally occurring or synthetically derived. Zeolites are crystalline, hydrated aluminosilicates that contain alkali and alkaline-earth metals. Their crystal framework is based upon a three-dimensional network of SiO₄tetrahedra with all four oxygens shared by an adjacent tetrahedral. The alkali and alkaline earth cations are loosely bound within this structure (by ionic bonding) and can be exchanged by other cations or molecular water. Most zeolites can be dehydrated and rehydrated without any change in volume. The important physical and chemical properties of zeolites are high degree of hydration, low density and large void volume when dehydrated, cation exchange properties, uniform molecular-sized channels in the dehydrated crystals, ability to adsorb gases and vapors, and catalytic properties.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a method 300 for preparing the fertilizer composition 100 described in connection with FIG. 1A. As described herein, the wetting process of the method 300 may further include wetting the granular fertilizer 102 with a liquid solution comprising ion exchange nanoparticles 200 to generate the fertilizer composition 100 described in connection with FIG. 1B.

The fertilizer composition 100 may be presented in a dry granular form, such that the dry granular form is scattered or distributed across a soil material for uptake by plants. In an implementation, the method 300 of manufacturing the fertilizer composition 100 includes spraying a liquid wetting agent solution 304 on to the granular fertilizer 102. The wetting agent 304 may be dissolved or suspended in a liquid solution. The wetting agent solution 304 may comprise water or another polar or nonpolar solvent. Ideally, the wetting agent solution 304 is sprayed consistently throughout the granular fertilizer 102, and this may be accomplished by steadily spraying the wetting agent solution 304 on to the granular fertilizer 102 while the granular fertilizer is tumbled or agitated.

After the granular fertilizer 102 has been sufficiently wetted with the wetting agent solution 304, the wet granular fertilizer 102 is then desiccated to generate the fertilizer composition 100. The fertilizer composition 100 may then be distributed to soil in its dehydrated, granular form. The desiccation process may be performed using one or more of a desiccating agent, heat, dehumidification, or acid catalysis.

In some cases, the method 300 additionally includes spraying a liquid solution comprising ion exchange nanoparticles 200 on to the granular fertilizer 102. The wetting agent solution 304 and the solution comprising ion exchange nanoparticles may be combined into a single solution that is sprayed on to the granular fertilizer 102. The ion exchange nanoparticle 200 described in connection with FIG. 2 is prepared in water and may specifically be prepared in ultrapure water. After the ion exchange nanoparticle 200 is prepared, it may be stored in a liquid solution. Then, the liquid solution comprising the nanoparticles may be directly sprayed on to dry granular fertilizer 102.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a method 400 for preparing the fertilizer composition 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A or 1B. The method 400 includes heating the granular fertilizer 102 to generate a molten fertilizer 402. The wetting agent 104 is introduced to the molten fertilizer 402 to generate a molten solution 406. In some implementations, ion exchange nanoparticles 200 (may be in the dehydrated nanoparticle 106 form) are also added to the molten solution 406. The molten solution 406 is cooled to generate the solid fertilizer composition 100 including the granular fertilizer 102 and the wetting agent 104, and optionally additionally including the ion exchange nanoparticles 200.

The process of heating the granular fertilizer 102 will be optimized and adjusted depending on the types of compounds present within the granular fertilizer 102. In some cases, for example, the granular fertilizer 102 includes urea and must be heated at least to 133° C. to convert the granular fertilizer 102 to a liquid phase. It should be appreciated that the necessary temperature for generating the molten fertilizer 402 is dependent on the melting points of the components of the granular fertilizer 102. The granular fertilizer 102 may be continuously heated to ensure the granular fertilizer 102 remains in the liquid phase. The granular fertilizer 102 may be heated in any suitable reaction vessel and may specifically be heated using radiation and/or conduction heat. In some cases, it is undesirable to heat the granular fertilizer 102 using direct heat because this will not yield the desired liquid phase for some fertilizer compositions.

The wetting agent 104 and optionally the ion exchange nanoparticles 200 are added to the granular fertilizer 102 when in the liquid phase (molten fertilizer 402). In most cases, gentle agitation is required to prevent sudden cooling of the molten fertilizer 402 in some areas. The molten solution 406 may then be dropped into a cooling tower with constant air movement functioning as a heat exchanger. In some cases, if the temperature is reduced suddenly, then the molten solution 406 will solidify inconsistently, and this can cause certain fertilizer components to solidify in undesirable shapes.

As discussed herein, the ion exchange nanoparticles 200 are typically prepared in water. This water solution is dehydrated using any suitable desiccating means to generate the dehydrated nanoparticles 104. In an implementation, the water solution is desiccated using a hydrophilic dry substance, or by way of acid catalysis.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a method 500 for preparing the fertilizer composition 100. The method 500 includes preparing the ion exchange nanoparticles 200 and then electrostatically charging the ion exchange nanoparticles 200 to generate electrostatically charged nanoparticles 504. The electrostatically charged nanoparticles 504 are then introduced to the granular fertilizer 102. After introduction, the electrostatically charged nanoparticles 504 are attracted to the granular fertilizer 102 and ultimately generate a homogonous mixture including the ion exchange nanoparticles 200 and the granular fertilizer 102.

The method 500 continues by applying the wetting agent solution 304 to the mixture including the granular fertilizer 102 and the ion exchange nanoparticles 200. The wetting agent solution 304 may be applied in an equivalent manner as described in connection with FIG. 3. This ultimately results in a fertilizer composition 100 including granular fertilizer 102, ion exchange nanoparticles 200, and a wetting agent 104.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cutaway illustration of a coated particle 600. The coated particle 600 includes an inner particle 608 comprising granular fertilizer 102. The inner particle 608 is surrounded by a coating 610. The coating 610 is partially cut away in FIG. 6 to reveal the inner particle 608 disposed underneath the coating 610. The coating 610 has a coating thickness 612 which may vary depending on the implementation. The coating 610 comprises the wetting agent 104, and thus, the coated particle 600 serves as a version of the fertilizer composition 100.

The coated particle 600 may be applied to soil when the coated particle 600 is in a dry granular state, or when the coated particle 600 is dissolved in water. When the coated particle 600 is in contact with water after a wetting event, such as rainfall or irrigation, the coating 610 degrades, and the granular fertilizer 102 disposed therein is released into the soil and made available for uptake by a plant.

The coating 610 serves as an inclusion vessel that protects the inner particle 608. The coating 102 includes a flexible polymer having the wetting agent 104 incorporated throughout. Additionally, the coating 610 improves the structural and mechanical robustness of the granular fertilizer 102. The coating 610 serves to protect the granular fertilizer 102 to ensure it can survive vigorous movements during manufacturing, transport, and application.

The coating 610 includes a polymer coating with the wetting agent 104 distributed throughout. The polymer is selected to serve as an effective carrier for the inner particle 608. This polymer may include any polymer that may be used as a coating as described herein, and may specifically include a reverse block copolymer, block copolymer, branched polymer, or other type of polymer suitable for the application. Thus, the granular fertilizer 102 particles making up the inner particle 608 are coated by the wetting agent 104. This reduces dust, improves water uptake by the plant, improves overall fertilizer uptake by the plant, and increases the efficiency of fertilizer application.

As discussed above, the polymer may be selected from a class consisting of block copolymers. Block copolymers comprise two or more homopolymer subunits linked by covalent bonds. Additionally, the polymer may be selected from a class consisting of branched polymers or branched chain polymers. Branched polymers include side chains or branches growing from a main chain. Branched polymers include graft polymers, star-shaped polymers, comb polymers, brush polymers, polymer networks, and dendrimers. Branched polymers include starch, glycogen, and low-density polyethylene.

In some cases, the coating 610 molecules are attracted to at least a portion of the granular fertilizer 102 particles making up the inner particle 608. The coating 102 may be attracted to components of the inner particle 608 through one or more of van der Waals forces, quantum attraction, or London dispersion forces. During manufacturing, the inner particle 608 molecules and the coating 610 molecules enter chemical equilibrium and become thermodynamically stable in the coated particle 600 configuration. In some cases, the ratio of inner particle 608 molecules and coating 610 molecules is optimized to ensure thermodynamic stability of the coated particle 600.

The coating thickness 612 is variable depending on the implementation and may be optimized depending on one or more of the type of inner particle 608 disposed within the coating 610, the agricultural use of the coated particle 600, the desired degradation time for the coated particle 600, and so forth. The coating thickness 612 will vary depending on the types of polymers selected for the coating 610. The coating thickness 612 may be increased when the coated particle 600 is expected to undergo extensive mechanical or physical manipulation, for example, when being transported, tumbled, or applied to soil. The coated particle 600 may be transported on conveyer belts, tumbled during manufacture, transported in trucks, distributed to soil through heavy duty mixers, and so forth. The coating thickness 612 may be optimized to provide increased rigidity and mechanical strength to withstand this mechanical agitation.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration depicting soil chemistry and a plant 714 root network after applying components of a fertilizer composition 100 as described herein. The fertilizer composition 100 may be stored and applied in a dry granular form. After the fertilizer composition 100 is applied, the fertilizer composition 100 eventually experiences its first wetting event, which may include natural precipitation, irrigation wetting, and so forth. When the fertilizer composition 100 undergoes a wetting event, the components will naturally distribute throughout the soil and may be taken up by the plant 714. The components of the fertilizer composition 100 include the granular fertilizer 102 and the wetting agent 104 and may additionally include the ion exchange nanoparticles 200.

In the schematic illustration depicted in FIG. 7, the granular fertilizer 102 particles are illustrated with white dots and the wetting agent 104 are illustrated with grey dots. As shown in FIG. 7, each of the granular fertilizer 102 and the wetting agent 104 are dispersed throughout the soil. The wetting agent 104 reduces the surface tension of the water 716 and thereby enables the plant 714 to more readily uptake the water 716. Additionally, the wetting agent 104 reduces dust and reduces the total water required for adequately hydrating the plant 716.

If the fertilizer composition 100 includes ion exchange nanoparticles 200, then the plant 714 takes up at least a portion the ion exchange nanoparticles 200 by way of its root system. The structure of the ion exchange nanoparticle 200 enables delayed release of the selected ions 204 over time to improve plant outcomes and reduce the total quantity of fertilizer needed to effectuate a desired result in the plant 714. The ion exchange nanoparticle 200 does not bind to the soil and remains in solution when dispersed throughout the soil. This enables the ion exchange nanoparticle 200 to be readily absorbed by the root system of the plant 714 as the plant absorbs water 716. The ion exchange nanoparticle 200 can pass through the cell walls of the plant and thereby deliver the fertilizer ions (selected ions 204) to the plant. This provides increased fertilizer uptake when compared with conventional methods.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a method 800 for producing a synthetic agricultural product such as an ion exchange nanoparticle 200 as described herein. The method 800 includes providing at 802 an effective amount of a fertilizer and/or an agricultural product sufficient to effectuate a desired response in a plant. The method 800 includes providing at 804 an effective amount of a structural particle 202 comprising a high cation exchange capacity. The method 800 includes providing at 806 an effective amount of water sufficient to maintain the effective amount of the fertilizer and/or agricultural product and the effective amount of the structural particle 202 in suspension and solution. The method 800 includes bathing at 808 an effective amount of the structural particle 202 in ultrapure water. The method 800 includes adding at 810 the effective amount of the structural particle 202 to the effective amount of the water to create a solution comprising the water, the fertilizer and/or the agricultural product, and the structural particle 202. The method 800 includes adding at 812 energy to the solution such that the native ions 206 in the structural particle 202 are exchanged with the ions in the fertilizer and/or agricultural product. The method 800 includes dehydrating at 814 the solution to generate dry ion exchange nanoparticles 200. Each of the dry ion exchange nanoparticles 200 includes the structural mineral and one or more of the native ions 206. The resultant dry ion exchange nanoparticle 200 may then be used a component of the composition 100 as described herein.

The method 800 of generating the dry ion exchange nanoparticle 200 may include providing an effective amount of a structural particle 202 that comprises a high cation exchange capacity. Cation exchange capacity may be determined by calculating a value that is an estimate of a substance's ability to attract, retain, and exchange cation elements. Cation exchange capacity is reported in milliequivalents (meq) per 100 grams of a substance, which may be a soil substance, structural particle 202, or other inorganic matter (meq/100 g). A meq is the number of ions that total a specific quantity of electrical charges. For example, a meq of potassium (K⁺) ions is approximately 6×10²⁰positive charges; whereas with calcium a meq of Calcium (Ca⁺⁺) is also 6×10²⁰positive charges, but only 3×10²⁰ions because each calcium ion has two positive charges. Although the minerals discussed here have high cation exchange capacity values, they do have a level of anion exchange capacity as well and the anion exchange can be utilized in the same way as the cation exchange. The number of cations supplied by the fertilizer and/or agricultural product source should outnumber the number of cations occurring naturally on the structural particle 202, such that the probability for the native ion being exchanged for a fertilizer and/or agricultural product cation is high, and the probability of the original cation being reintroduced onto the structural particle 202 is extremely low. Since most fertilizers and/or agricultural products applied in an agricultural or horticultural setting are often a mixture of two or more primary, secondary, and micro nutrients, and that the combinations are many and varied, it is difficult to describe all of the possibilities, but the ions (both positive and negative) supplied by the fertilizer and/or agricultural product may be at least two orders and may be equal to or up to seven orders of magnitude more abundant than the ions available for exchange (both positive and negative) natively occurring on the structural particle 202. Exception to this rule may be when the selected ions 204 in the fertilizer and/or agricultural product supplied have a single charge (especially positive ions) and have an extremely high affinity for the soil particle—in other words, once the selected ions 204 in the fertilizer and/or agricultural product are exchanged with the native mineral ions the negatively (for example) charged soil particle once ionically bound to the fertilizer and/or agricultural product cation (for example) would represent an extremely low energy state such that exchange is extremely unlikely.

In an implementation, the structural particle 202 may comprise one or more of alumina silicate, silicate, aluminum, sodium aluminosilicate or other tuff material. In an implementation, the structural particle 202 comprises one or more of montmorillonite, illite, kaolinite, smectite, zeolite, hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS), and vermiculite. In an implementation, the structural particle 202 comprises smectite. In an implementation, the structural particle 202 comprises zeolite. In an implementation, the zeolite structural particle 202 is a carrier of nutrients and other small organic and inorganic molecules via ion exchange and adsorption inside the channels (formed by the crystalline structure). Zeolite channels may carry ions and small molecules used to protect plants, kill plants, or used as plant growth regulators, such as those used to promote plant health, fruiting, growth, or those used to slow plant growth for use by a cell.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 8, the method 800 may further comprise providing an effective amount of water sufficient to effectuate a desired result in a plant and maintain the effective amount of a fertilizer and/or agricultural product and the effective amount of the structural particle 202 in suspension and solution at 806. The effective amount of water may fall within a range of about 0.1 gallon to about 6000 gallons.

The method 800 may further comprise bathing an effective amount of the structural particle 202 in ultrapure water at 808. In an implementation of the method, the step of bathing the effective amount of the structural particle 202 in ultrapure water comprises bathing the structural particle 202 for at least 24 hours. The process of bathing the structural particle 202 may assist in preparing the structural particle 202 by removing native ions 206 and molecules held by water in the channels through diffusion. Ultrapure water may be used to make the ions in the soil substance, structural particle 202, or other organic material readily available for exchange. Thus, when the soil substance, structural particle 202, or other organic material is bathed in ultrapure water, the ions in the structural particle 202 are exposed or otherwise made readily available for ion exchange with another known substance. Thus, in an implementation, the method and system of the disclosure may comprise exchanging cations from the structural particle 202 with selected cations of a known source. For example, in an embodiment, the method 800 comprises bathing an effective amount of the soil substance, the structural particle 202 or other inorganic material directly in the fertilizer or agricultural product. When the soil substance, structural particle 202, or other organic material is bathed in fertilizer or other known or desired source of ions, the ions in the soil substance, structural particle 202, or other organic material are exposed or otherwise made readily available for ion exchange with another known substance.

The method 800 may further comprise heating the structural particle 202 (zeolite) with a heat source to create a dehydrated structural particle 202. In an implementation, the heat source is an oven. In an implementation the heat source is a heat lamp. This step ensures that the zeolite channels are filled with a concentrated fertilizer and/or agricultural product solution. The method 800 shown in FIG. 8 may further comprise creating a pretreated solution by adding the dehydrated structural particle 202 to a concentrated fertilizer and/or agricultural product solution, thus introducing a high concentration of desired ions into the channels and at the ion exchange sites.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a method 900 for producing a nanoparticle-coated granular fertilizer as described herein. The method 900 may be implemented to prepare a batch of coated granular fertilizer that may be stored, transported, and applied in a granular state. The coated granular fertilizer described herein may be stored undisturbed for a virtually indefinite amount of time without experiencing degradation. The coated granular fertilizer described herein experiences increased mechanical rigidity and longevity when experiencing physical manipulation during manufacture, transportation, and application.

The method 900 begins with preparing at 902 a coating solution comprising water and a polymer, which may specifically include a water-soluble polymer. The method 900 includes adding at 904 a wetting agent 104 to the coating solution. The method 900 includes adding at 906 one or more agricultural particles to the coating solution, and specifically adding granular fertilizer 102 to the coating solution. The one or more agricultural particles may additionally include one or more of an herbicide, pesticides, plant growth regulator, fungicide, weed killer, microbe, or nanoparticle. The method 900 includes dehydrating at 908 the coating solution to generate dry coated granular particles comprising a polymer coating, wherein the polymer coating comprises the wetting agent 104.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a method 1000 for producing a granular fertilizer composition for enhanced uptake of nutrients and delayed release of fertilizer compounds. The method includes preparing at 1002 an ion exchange nanoparticle, which may be prepared according to any of the methods described herein and including the method 800 discussed in connection with FIG. 8. The method 1000 includes electrostatically charging at 1005 the ion exchange nanoparticle. The method 1000 includes introducing at 1006 the electrostatically charged ion exchange nanoparticle to a granular fertilizer such that the electrostatically charged ion exchange nanoparticle is attracted to the granular fertilizer.

FIG. 11 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a method 1100 for producing a granular fertilizer composition for enhanced uptake of nutrients and delayed release of fertilizer compounds. The method 1100 includes preparing at 1102 a solution comprising a wetting agent 104 and optionally further including a plurality of ion exchange nanoparticles 200. The method 1100 includes spraying at 1104 the solution on to a plurality of granules of a granular fertilizer. The method 1100 is such that the granular fertilizer comprises a liquid loading potential such that at least a portion of the plurality of granules of the granular fertilizer adsorb one or more of the wetting agent or the plurality of ion exchange nanoparticles on to a surface of the granular fertilizer (see 1106).

EXAMPLES

The following examples pertain to further embodiments.

Example 1 is a composition. The composition includes a granular fertilizer and a wetting agent configured to reduce a surface tension of water.

Example 2 is a composition as in Example 1, further comprising an ion exchange nanoparticle comprising: a structural particle comprising an ion exchange site; and an ion, wherein the ion is attracted to the structural particle at the ion exchange site.

Example 3 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-2, further comprising a coating disposed around the granular fertilizer, wherein the wetting agent is a component of the coating.

Example 4 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-3, wherein the coating is disposed around a plurality of granules of the granular fertilizer, and wherein the coating comprises: a polymer; and the wetting agent.

Example 5 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-4, wherein the coating comprises two or more unique polymers comprising: a first polymer comprising water solubility; and a second polymer comprising a block chain copolymer.

Example 6 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-5, wherein the granular fertilizer comprises one or more of a nitrogenous fertilizer, a phosphate fertilizer, or a potassium fertilizer.

Example 7 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-6, wherein the ion exchange nanoparticle comprises: the structural particle, wherein the ion exchange site is one of a plurality of native ion exchange sites; the ion, wherein the ion is one of a plurality of fertilizer ions; wherein at least one of the plurality of fertilizer ions is attached to at least one of the plurality of native ion exchange sites of the structural particle; and wherein the ion exchange nanoparticle causes a delayed release of the plurality of fertilizer ions.

Example 8 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-7, wherein each of the wetting agent and the ion exchange nanoparticle is sprayed on to the granular fertilizer when the wetting agent and the ion exchange nanoparticle are dissolved in water.

Example 9 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-8, wherein each of the wetting agent and the ion exchange nanoparticle is adsorbed by the granular fertilizer on a surface of the granular fertilizer.

Example 10 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-9, wherein the composition is in a desiccated form, and wherein the composition is applied to soil in the desiccated form.

Example 11 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-10, wherein the composition is manufactured by: heating the granular fertilizer to a liquid state to generate molten fertilizer; adding the wetting agent to the molten fertilizer; and cooling the solution comprising the molten fertilizer and the wetting agent back to a solid state.

Example 12 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-11, wherein the granular fertilizer comprises a liquid loading potential such that the granular fertilizer adsorbs the wetting agent.

Example 13 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-12, wherein the composition is manufactured by: electrostatically charging the ion exchange nanoparticle; and introducing the electrostatically charged ion exchange nanoparticle to the granular fertilizer.

Example 14 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-13, wherein the ion exchange nanoparticle is manufactured by generating a solution comprising ultrapure water, the structural particle, and the ion; and wherein the solution is dehydrated prior to introducing the ion exchange nanoparticle to the granular fertilizer.

Example 15 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-14, wherein the ion exchange nanoparticle comprises a plurality of fertilizer ions attracted to a plurality of unique ion exchange sites of the structural particle; and wherein the plurality of fertilizer ions comprises one or more of nitrogen, phosphate, or potassium.

Example 16 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-15, wherein the ion exchange nanoparticle comprises a plurality of fertilizer ions attracted to a plurality of unique ion exchange sites of the structural particle; and wherein the plurality of fertilizer ions comprises one or more of sulfur, calcium, magnesium, chlorine, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, molybdenum, or nickel.

Example 17 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-16, wherein the structural particle is a component of a fine-grained sedimentary rock.

Example 18 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-17, wherein the structural particle is a nanoparticle comprising a particle diameter from about 1 nm to about 1000 nm.

Example 19 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-18, wherein the structural particle comprises a high cation exchange capacity and an equivalents in a range from about 10 milliequivalents per 100 g to about 600 milliequivalents per 100 g.

Example 20 is a composition as in any of Examples 1-19, wherein the ion exchange site of the structural particle is naturally filled with a native ion, and wherein the native ion is exchanged with the ion prior to the ion exchange nanoparticle being combined with the granular fertilizer.

Example 21 is a method of preparing a coated particle as described herein. The method includes preparing a polymer using hydrolyzed PVA. The PVA polymer is prepared by adding a sufficient amount of PVA to water with vigorous agitation. The method includes applying heat to the PVA solution to complete polymerization and form the PVA polymer. The PVA polymer may be prepared with a concentration of about 2 wt. % to about 10 wt. %.

Example 22 is a method as in Example 21. The method further includes mixing a desiccating agent into the PVA polymer prepared according to Example 1. The method includes mixing this solution vigorously with moderate heat.

Example 23 is a method as in Examples 21-22. The method further includes adding the PVA polymer (may be referred to as the “first polymer”) to a copolymer, or another polymer that can be used as a coating 610 for the granular fertilizer 102 (may be referred to as the “second polymer”). The method includes optimizing the ratio of the first polymer to the second polymer based on the masses of the respective polymers. This is calculated based on the mass (g/mL) of each of the first polymer and the second polymer. The first and second polymers are blended together at a roughly 1:1 ratio based on mass. Thus, the volumes of the first polymer and the second polymer may differ depending on the densities of the polymers. The first polymer and the second polymer may be mixed with constant agitation at a temperature of about 30° C.