The application of coating materials to regulate nitrogen release is a crucial strategy for minimizing fertilizer loss and alleviating agricultural nitrogen pollution. However, it remains a significant challenge to develop ecofriendly coatings that are both biodegradable and effective in slow-release. In this study, Ca/Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were incorporated into a conventional polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVA/ PVP) matrix to create PVA/PVP-LDHs composite films. The inclusion of LDHs (1.0 %, w/w) resulted in a 32 % enhancement in water resistance, a 10 % reduction in water vapor/ammonia permeability, and a 16 % improvement in mechanical properties. These enhanced performances by addition of LDHs were attributed to the combined effects of the tortuous diffusion pathways, and the formation of robust hydrogen bonding networks between the hydroxyl groups of LDHs and PVA/PVP at the organic-inorganic interface. These interactions could reduce free hydroxyl groups on the film surface, leading to hydrophobicity and structural integrity. The composite films exhibited significantly reduced nitrogen permeability under various pH conditions, indicating the improved stability in both acidic and alkaline soil environments. Degradation experiments revealed that the composite film lost 40 % of its mass over 120 days, with a half-life only 8.0 % longer than pure PVA/PVP. These results indicated that the incorporation of LDHs had minimal impact on biodegradability, maintaining the environmental compatibility of the films. These findings highlight the potential of PVA/PVP-LDHs composite films as sustainable, eco-friendly, and efficient slow-release fertilizer coatings, offering a practical solution for improving nitrogen use efficiency and reducing agricultural nitrogen pollution.

Multiple-heavy-metal contamination in soil, such as the simultaneous presence of AsO43-, Cd2+ and Pb2+, which can reduce crop yields and damage human health, is a serious issue to be addressed. Herein, the MgFe-LDHs (layered double hydroxides) intercalated with carbonate and nitrate (MgFe-CO3 and MgFe-NO3) were synthesized by Separate Nucleation and Aging Steps and ion-exchange method, respectively. The MgFe-CO3 demonstrated the maximum saturation adsorption capacity of 55.86, 543.48 and 1597.4 mg g(-1) for single AsO43-, Cd2+ and Pb2+ in aqueous solution, while MgFe-NO3 exhibited 92.50, 387.59 and 869.56 mg g(-1), respectively. Kinetic and thermodynamic results for mineralization of single AsO43-, Cd2+ and Pb2+ fitted well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model, indicating the occurrence of chemisorption and monolayer adsorption for both MgFe-CO3 and MgFe-NO3. Furthermore, simultaneous mineralization of AsO43-, Cd2+ and Pb2+ with >99.0 % efficiency in 240 min in aqueous solution and >81.1 % efficiency in 14 days in soil can be achieved by both MgFe-CO3 and MgFe-NO3. Preliminary red bean seedlings cultivation experiments indicated that the released Mg2+ ions from MgFe-CO3 and MgFe-NO3 were capable to promote the emergence and growth of red bean seedlings. Detailed XRD and XPS results demonstrated that the AsO43- anions were adsorbed on the laminate of LDHs, whereas the Pb-3(OH)(2)(CO3)(2) was the mineralization product for both MgFe-CO3 and MgFe-NO3. In terms of Cd2+, CdCO3 was obtained as a mineralization product for MgFe-CO3, while CdCO3 and Cd(OH)(2) can be detected due to the slow transformation of MgFe-NO3 to MgFe-CO3 in air.