ABSTRACT
This study thoroughly characterizes cow dung, providing valuable insights for sustainable applications. This study unveils significant parameters for cow dung: pH (7.68±0.18), electrical conductivity (3.52±0.030 uS/cm), bulk density (0.22±0.01 g/ml), specific surface area (492.433 m2/g), average pore diameter (2.108 nm), and pore volume (0.241 cm3/g). Nutrient composition includes nitrogen (180.50 mg/kg) and potassium (12.90 mg/kg), and trace elements: nickel (26.00 mg/kg), sodium (121.50 mg/kg), cadmium (0.00 mg/kg), lead (0.975 mg/kg), copper (8.50 mg/kg), and magnesium (69.00 mg/kg). Elemental composition: carbon (4.0%), oxygen (20.1%), silicon (40.0%), iron (6.0%), sodium (2.0%), aluminium (22.6%), calcium (2.30%), potassium (0.54%), phosphorus (0.22%), titanium (0.20%), manganese (0.22%), magnesium (0.26%). Surface functional groups: NaOH (TSA - 2.39 mmol/g), NaHCO3 (Carboxylic - 0.99 mmol/g), NaCO3 (Lactonic - 0.97 mmol/g), Phenolic (0.43 mmol/g). Moreover, low levels of harmful elements assure minimal environmental risks. Scanning electron microscope imagery emphasizes its porous nature and interconnected skeletal surface, contributing to water-holding and absorption capacities. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared analysis unveil diverse functional groups and elemental composition, broadening its potential applications. In the FTIR analysis, absorption peaks (cm^-1) and compound class are: 3456.37, 3268.59 (Alcohol), 2916.71, 2847.86 (Alcohol), 2356.90 (Thiol), 2232.16 (Nitrile), 1629.43 (Alkene), 1545.03 (Nitro compound), 1370.14 (Phenol), 1030.49 (Fluoro compound). Cow dung emerges as a valuable resource for sustainable agricultural practices and soil enrichment.
