The term "Percarbamide," recently seen in the news, is related to:

The correct answer is option 1.

In News

• A study published in Nature Catalysis has introduced a new electrochemical technique to convert urea from urine into percarbamide, a stable, crystalline compound that can be used as fertilizer, contributing to sustainable agriculture and wastewater treatment.

Key Points

• Percarbamide is a crystalline peroxide derivative formed by reacting urea with hydrogen peroxide. Hence, option 1 is correct.
• This process allows for efficient extraction of nitrogen from urine, making it a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers.
• Percarbamide releases nitrogen slowly, promoting better root respiration and crop growth.
• This method addresses two environmental challenges:
  • Wastewater treatment by removing excess nitrogen from urine.
  • Fertilizer production by recycling nutrients for agriculture.

Additional Information

• Traditional fertilizers require energy-intensive production, whereas this process is eco-friendly and cost-effective.
• Urea from urine has long been recognized as a rich nitrogen source, but challenges in efficient extraction and purification have limited its use until now.
• The researchers developed an activated graphitic carbon catalyst to enhance the conversion of urea into solid percarbamide, achieving nearly 100% purity.