In this article, a tamarind seed gum-g-poly (acrylic acid-co-2-Acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid/polyvinyl alcohol) (TSG-g-P[AA-co-AMPS/PVA]) was prepared by aqueous solution polymerization. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize. The swelling behaviors, reusability and water-retention capabilities of hydrogels were evaluated. Under optimum synthesis conditions, the maximum equilibrium absorption of hydrogel was 1295 g·g −1 , 208 g·g −1 , 116 g·g −1 in deionized water, tap water and NaCl solution (0.9 wt%) respectively. Application of the hydrogel to soils increased their water-holding and fertilizer retention capacities. Furthermore, the excellent water retention anti-evaporation performance indicated that the hydrogel has the potential for applications in future sustainable agriculture and forestry.
Junji Zhao,Xueyan Qiu,Xiaomei Liu,Xie Ye,Hongran Xiong,Yan Liang,Ziqiang Lei
In this study, the application of superabsorbent resin (SAP) in inhibiting the soil moisture evaporation (or slowing down the water outflow) was studied. The clay-SAP composites were fabricated by grafting of poly (acrylic acid-N-hydroxymethyl acrylamide/clay) (GT-g-P [AA-co-NHA]/clay) on Tragacanth gum (GT), using solution polymerization. The structure, morphology and stability of the clay-SAP composites were investigated by Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscope and TGA. The maximum swelling ratio of Attapulgite (3%)-, Kaolin (3%)- and Montmorillonite (3%)-SAP composite in deionized water reached 1180, 819 and 525 g/g respectively, and the maximum swelling ratio in tap water reached up to 206, 192 and 170 g/g respectively. Meanwhile, the maximum swelling ratio in 0.9% NaCl solution was 95, 82 and 62 g/g respectively. The water retention of clay-SAP composites was also analyzed as a function of temperature. In addition, by simulating the desertification area, the effect of the APT (3%)-SAP composite on the anti-evaporation performance was studied. The obtained results revealed that the water retention of APT (3%)-SAP composite was 36% at 45°C for 12 h. Under natural conditions, the evaporation rate of the anti-evaporation material was inversely proportional to the amount of APT (3%)-SAP composite added.