Graphene application helps agricultural development

Graphene has excellent properties such as light, electricity, heat, and force. At present, with the joint promotion of the government and industry, the industrial application of graphene in China has entered an accelerated period, and some technological breakthroughs are gradually moving from laboratory to market application.

Recently, Dr. Zhao Meng, chairman of the national graphene application industry technology innovation strategic alliance, visited the graphene indoor constant temperature shrimp culture technology of Fujian Zhenxin graphene Technology Co., Ltd. and highly praised the breakthrough achievements of the project. It is reported that graphene indoor constant temperature shrimp culture technology has the unique characteristics of heat generation, environmental protection, energy-saving, and no oxygen consumption. It changes the traditional outdoor shrimp culture to an Indoor Shrimp tank culture, solves the history of no mariculture in the mainland, eliminates antibiotics, makes the survival rate of shrimp higher than 90%, and more importantly, solves the fecal toxin precipitation of shrimp, It is of positive significance to improve the marine ecological environment.

Zhao Meng said in an exclusive interview that using graphene technology to empower traditional agriculture (forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery) can coordinate the relationship between economic development and environment, resource utilization and protection, and form a virtuous circle of ecology and economy. Then he introduced the synergistic effect of graphene in agriculture, aquaculture, and other production, as well as the existing research results.

1. Application of water-soluble graphene in agriculture and aquaculture

Water-soluble graphene is a kind of graphene with a high hydrophilic and locked molecular structure. The binding capacity of the ions is 4 times that of the common graphene (1000 times of fullerene). It has no SP orbit and crystal, and the carbon content is 97.47%, which has been proved to be harmless to the human body and other organisms through many tests and experiments.

(1) Plant growth agents promoting plant growth

The photosynthesis of plants can not be separated from carbon sources. The carbon molecular structure of water-soluble graphene is the same as that of plants. Water-soluble graphene can make plants absorb carbon directly and reduce the nutrients (energy) lost by chemical combinations, and make plants grow rapidly. The water-soluble graphene has no toxicity, which can also make the land healthier and more environmentally friendly.

(2) Contribution of water-soluble graphene in aquaculture

In terms of feed, water-soluble graphene can enhance the disease resistance (immunity) of animals, and reduce or do not use antibiotics. For example, improve the meat quality of poultry, fish, pigs, cattle, and sheep. Water-soluble graphene also plays a good auxiliary role in improving the animal digestive system and deodorization of excreta. Adding water-soluble graphene to the drinking water of dairy cattle feed households can quickly eliminate the papillitis of dairy cows, improve the milk quality of dairy cows and reduce the residue of antibiotics.

2. Graphene far-infrared electric heating for the intensive seedling raising of vegetables

Graphene electric heating plate uses a kind of graphene water-based carbon nanomaterial that can heat immediately after power on. During the heating process, it will radiate a large number of wavelengths of 8 ~ 14 μ M, which can be effectively absorbed by organisms (the most suitable far-infrared life light for plants is 6 ~ 14) μ m）。 The total effective electric energy conversion rate of graphene far-infrared electric heating project is more than 99%, the heating performance is stable and long-term, and the energy consumption can be saved by 30% ~ 50% compared with the traditional boiler. It can not only reduce the environmental pollution caused by a large number of coal-fired heating in seedling-raising facilities but also solve the problem of seedling bed temperature stability.

The application of graphene far infrared heating in the intensive seedling raising of watermelon was observed and recorded, including temperature and humidity, seedling growth, etc. The results show that in the process of far infrared heating of graphene, no disinfection, pesticide spraying, and fertilization are carried out, and the root is strong and the seedling is flourishing, which greatly reduces the manual operation and reduces the production cost. The time of seedling cultivation was shortened. Compared with other heating methods, the grafted seedlings of watermelon were put out of the nursery 10-15 days in advance, and the growth was good.

3. The heating system of far infrared electrothermal film in facility agriculture

The far infrared electrothermal film is a kind of modified and purified carbon particle heating product. It is made of different shape micro-ceramic particles by high temperature and grinding process. Different amounts of far infrared heating materials and temperature limiting materials are added according to the needs of different wavelengths and made by special technology. The remote infrared heating film heating system of warm xiansen facility agriculture has successfully realized the high yield and stable production of the facilities vegetables and the stable supply of vegetables on the anniversary. It overcomes the environmental adversity caused by low temperature and rain and snow and can be used for the greenhouse and indoor warming of vegetables (Agriculture): far-infrared electric heating film radiation can effectively promote the germination of vegetables, enhance the photosynthesis of vegetables The growth of plant and root system of vegetables was improved. The system has flexible and stable temperature control. Through intelligent thermostat, it can meet the actual temperature required by plants in different time periods without the maintenance of staff.

4.  The remote infrared electrothermal film constant temperature system of pig house (aquaculture)

The heating system of warm xiansen intelligent piggery is characterized by the heat output control according to the actual temperature requirements of the breeding room. Therefore, when the temperature in the house has reached the temperature requirements, the system will automatically adjust the heating or closing to ensure the temperature of the pig house is uniform, the lower temperature is warm, the upper and the cooler, the drying is clean and the comfort is good.

The accurate temperature control system of the system can save unnecessary manual operation: heat is stored in concrete, should not be lost, has good thermal stability, and will not be cold and hot; In case of temporary power failure, the basic heating temperature of the pig house can be guaranteed for 2-5 hours; The project installation cost and initial investment are greatly reduced. It works 24 hours a day, but the actual opening time is short (8-10 hours), the power consumption is small and the use cost is low. The system operates without noise, electromagnetic wave interference, radiant heating, basically does not change the house temperature, and significantly improves the blood circulation of milk and young pigs. The high-quality intelligent heating system is safe and reliable to use, avoiding frostbite and freezing death accidents of milk and young pigs caused by cold winter and burns caused by the excessive heating temperature of the traditional far-infrared lamp.

5. Graphene electric heating application

Graphene floor heating is actually a heating film. Its internal structure is very simple. It is composed of a film containing graphene, an envelope, an insulating connecting wire head, and a copper sheet around the edge. Its heating principle is to make the internal graphene molecules collide and generate potential energy through electrical stimulation. It has a wide range of application scenarios and can be used for whole-house heating, intelligent agricultural constant temperature, intelligent drying, and baking, industrial infrastructure ice, etc.

6. Graphene far-infrared heating plate greenhouse

(1) The problem of out of season freezing injury is solved: graphene far-infrared heating greenhouse can achieve the constant temperature effect of 5-15 ℃ when the outdoor low temperature is below – 2 ℃, so as to make crops grow smoothly in winter and eliminate the doubt that out of season vegetables can not be planted.

(2) Shorten the time of seedling cultivation: for example, towel gourd seeds were sown in the seedling center generally need to be delayed for one month, germinate after one week, sow one month in advance through graphene far-infrared heating, and transplant 10-15 days in advance, with good growth.

(3) 18% increase in seedling emergence rate: the seedling emergence rate was originally 80%, reaching 98% after graphene far-infrared heating. It is expected to increase production by 30% – 40%.

(4) Reduce diseases and insect pests: under the 8-14 micron far-infrared “light of life” radiation generated by the graphene heating plate, the seedlings planted in the seedling center do not need regular disinfection, pesticide spraying, and fertilization, which greatly reduces the manual operation, reduce the production cost, and the cultivated seedlings are green and environment-friendly.

(5) To achieve constant temperature and energy saving: through the constant temperature control of graphene far-infrared heating system, 50% energy consumption is saved compared with other heating systems.

(6) Purified water: graphene oxide can form a perfect gas-liquid barrier. Therefore, the water storage under the nursery is free of moss, smell, and turbidity. The water supply source of the nursery is clean and free of pollution.

(7) Crop protection: graphene sensor can improve the monitoring effectiveness of key crops.

7.  Graphene oxide as an insecticide

The innovation team of pest monitoring and control of food crops, Plant Protection Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, has taken graphene oxide (go) as a synergist of pesticide, which significantly improves the biological activity of pesticides. The study can effectively improve the biological activity of the pesticides on Asian corn borers by electrostatic loading three pesticides on go to form the go pesticide complex.

The synergistic mechanism of go to pesticides can be divided into three types: one is that the sharp lamellar structure of go can damage the body wall of insects mechanically, causing the insects to lose water rapidly; The second is that the damaged body wall provides a new channel for pesticide penetration into insect body wall; Thirdly, the go adsorbed with pesticides can be deposited on the body wall of corn borer, which improves the utilization of pesticides.

8. Utilization of graphene is expected to improve fertilizer efficiency

Researchers at Adelaide University in Australia are using graphene as a fertilizer carrier to develop fertilizers with low environmental impact and can reduce farmers’ costs. Through cooperation with the industry, it has been proved that effective slow-release fertilizer can be produced by loading the necessary trace elements onto graphene oxide tablets. Graphene as a carrier means that fertilizer can be used more specifically, and the efficiency of fertilizer and nutrient absorption of plants can be improved in general. Graphene fertilizer has many advantages, which can improve soil, reduce environmental pollution, effectively reduce costs and improve crop yield.

9. Innovative technology of graphene water restoration

The composite purification materials of graphene can kill bacteria, viruses, and algae without selectivity; The functional groups have a good adsorption and degradation effect on heavy metals and organic substances, which can greatly reduce the content of ammonia nitrogen, total phosphorus, and COD, and effectively increase the content of dissolved oxygen. Combined with the technology of glutamine, it can effectively kill and suppress the harm of bacteria and organic matter in river sludge. The comprehensive treatment of water and silt has achieved the goal of the overall restoration of river water, and the river system can be restored and maintained in a benign ecological balance state.

In practical application, as long as it is placed in the space to be purified, it can be purified in situ without any power source and energy consumption. It is green environmental protection and a scientific intelligent product that can change the natural environment with natural power in a real sense. The technology can be widely used in various water-use industries such as river, river, fishery culture, fish tank, swimming pool, sewage treatment, industrial water, and the field of sterilization and bacteria treatment of indoor air such as home office, agricultural greenhouse breeding, etc., and has good economic and social benefits.

“Downstream application is the key to graphene industrialization. It is necessary to take application innovation as the starting point to strengthen the interaction and connection between upstream and downstream.” Zhao Meng said graphene has great potential in agriculture and aquaculture. Through close cooperation in new materials, new technologies, and capital fields, it is helpful to develop high-end products and green products and increase the added value of products, which will contribute to the upgrading of traditional industries. The alliance will also give full play to the platform advantages, establish a wide range of cooperation, exchange, and project promotion mechanisms, promote cooperation and docking of multiple subjects, and create more possibilities for the development of graphene agricultural applications.