A Novel Hydrogel Based on Renewable Materials for Agricultural Application

Silvie Durpekova,Vladimir Sedlarik,Kateryna Filatova,Alena Ronzova,Erika Kutalkova,Jaroslav Cisar

doi:10.1155/2020/8363418

Silvie Durpekova, Vladimir Sedlarik + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8363418

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Abstract

This study details the design and characterization of a new, biodegradable, and renewable whey/cellulose-based hydrogel (i.e., agricultural hydrogel). This was formulated from cellulose derivatives (carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC)) and acid whey cross-linked with citric acid, with the aim to obtain an agricultural product with a high swelling capacity to uphold the quality of soil and conserve water resources. With regard to the swelling behaviour of the prepared hydrogels, the authors initially assessed the swelling ratio and capacity for water uptake. Evaluating the chemical structure of the hydrogel and its thermal and viscoelastic properties involved performing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning colorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, and rheological measurement of the hydrogel films. According to preliminary results, sufficient swelling capacity and stiffness were observed in a hydrogel prepared with 3% CMC and HEC, cross-linked with 5% citric acid. Moreover, the kinetics of water uptake revealed a promising capacity that was sustainable after 5 drying and swelling cycles. The results confirmed that the stability of the hydrogel was enhanced by the presence of the citric acid. As a consequence, it is necessary to utilize an appropriate cross-linking concentration and abide by certain conditions to ensure the swelling properties of the prepared hydrogel are sufficient. Further investigation of the topic, especially in relation to applications in soil, could confirm if the whey-cellulose-based hydrogel is actually suitable for agricultural use, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable arable farming.

Highlights

Agriculture is one of the major consumers of water, accounting for approximately 85% of utilization of available water resources [1]
Based on previous studies [16,17,18, 23], our hydrogel was prepared by combining CMCNa and HEC at the ratio of 3 : 1 (3% wt) in acid whey solution, cross-linked by Citric acid (CA), so as to obtain a biodegradable hydrogel with excellent swelling capacity
The authors determined the swelling capacity of the polymers by preparing hydrogels solely based on CMCNa and HEC, with adherence to the same procedure, using acid whey as the polymeric solution

Summary

Introduction

Agriculture is one of the major consumers of water, accounting for approximately 85% of utilization of available water resources [1]. Recent years have witnessed the ensuing effects of climate change, with water scarcity and associated desertification beginning to impact the agricultural sector. This makes developing new materials for water management and sustainability more pressing than ever before. Hydrogels are cross-linked hydrophilic water-soluble polymers capable of absorbing and retaining a large amount of water, up to a hundred fold the given dry weight, and desorbing under stress [2]. This has led to them being deployed in a wide range of applications, including agriculture [3]. When hydrogels are applied to soil, they improve its permeability, structure, and density, positively affecting the evaporation and infiltration rates of water and may even reduce erosion and water run-off, all to the feasible benefit of crop yield [5, 6]

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