Journal Published Online: 03 September 2019
Volume 49, Issue 4

Cellulose-Based Hydrogels as Smart, Green and Controllable Nitrogenous Fertilizers Releasing Agents

CODEN: JTEVAB

Abstract

A smart, green, and controllable-release hydrogel based on cellulose was prepared to avoid the problem of soil fertilizer abuse. A field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) demonstrated a wrinkled, rough, lamellar structure with long microtubes. The effect of the cross-linker concentration, epichlorohydrin (ECH), on the physical and mechanical properties in addition to swelling and urea-release kinetics was thoroughly studied. A relatively high swelling ratio, urea entrapment, and proper flexibility were obtained for an ECH concentration of 3.33 %. The swelling kinetics of hydrogel was found to be a second-order process. The maximum swelling value and the initial swelling rate were dependent on cross-linker concentration. The hydrogel exhibited a dehydration shrinkage in saline solution. A significantly high urea release of 6.61 % at 3.33 ECH concentrations was estimated. The urea-release mechanism matches well with the Fickian model. Accordingly, the prepared hydrogel is potential as a smart, green, and controllable-release fertilizer for applications in agriculture and horticulture.

Author Information

Sultan, M.
Packaging Materials Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Abdelhakim, A. A.
Packaging Materials Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Nassar, M.
Packaging Materials Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Pages: 12
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: JTE20190505
ISSN: 0090-3973
DOI: 10.1520/JTE20190505