Preparation of superabsorbent composite based on acrylic acid‐hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate and clinoptilolite for agricultural applications

Abstract

Recently, using superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are considered as a solution for reducing the water consumption particularly in agricultural applications. Presented here is the synthesis of a novel biocompatible SAP, utilizing for reducing the water consumption particularly in agricultural applications via graft copolymerization of hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (HDP) based on tapioca starch with acrylic acid (AA), loading with clinoptilolite zeolites. A two‐level factorial design of experiments, investigating the effect of the SAP composition on the water absorbency exhibited that the optimum SAP has the maximum water absorbencies of 1075 and 67 g g−1 in distilled water and 0.9 wt % NaCl solution, respectively. The chemical structure of the best superabsorbent was characterized using Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy analyses. The results revealed that AA was successfully grafted onto HDP and surface morphology of the superabsorbent was improved with incorporated clinoptilolite zeolites. In addition, the results of water absorption in different soil textures showed that within a first week after irrigation, the soil texture with 100% sand has the maximum water retention (69.6 g more than its control sample), as well as that with 50% sand, loses the absorbed moisture 49 days later than its control sample. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47365.

Synthesis of bio‐based internal and external cross‐linkers based on tannic acid for preparation of antibacterial superabsorbents

“…Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are hydrophilic polymer networks that are slightly cross‐linked; therefore, they can absorb and retain a huge amount of water, even under pressure . These spectacular absorbency properties candidate SAPs to be employed in various applications, including hygienic products, agriculture, drug delivery systems, and wound dressing . High swelling rate and capacity, along with an acceptable strength of the swollen gel are of common desired features of SAPs .…”

Application of factorial experimental design to optimize radiation‐synthesized and biodegradable super water absorbent based on cassava starch and acrylic acid

“…The remaining SWA formulations with higher AA and higher absorbed dose had shown higher soil water retention property than control. These formulations concurrently have higher GF and GS as previously discussed in full factorial analysis of SWA, which can be attributed to gels with high‐crosslink density 40,41 …”

Effects of hydrolysis treatment on the structure and properties of semi‐interpenetrating superabsorbent polymers

“…Superabsorbent polymer, a kind of polymer with cross‐linked three‐dimensional network structures, can absorb and preserve large quantities of water and salt solutions without destroying its structural integrity 1–3 . The superior properties of superabsorbent polymers such as the high swelling ability, high water absorption, good water retention capability, and biodegradability make them have potential applications in various fields such as agriculture and horticulture, water treatment, and drug release 4–10 . In addition, as a water‐retaining agent, superabsorbent polymers are also widely used in vegetation restoration in abandoned mines or slope wasteland and soil structure improvement in desert and arid areas 11–13 …”