Abstract
The performance of hydrogels prepared with traditional natural starch as raw materials is considerable; the fixed ratio of amylose/amylopectin significantly limits the improvement of hydrogel structure and performance. In this paper, starch hydrogels were prepared by physical blending and chemical grafting, with the aid of ultrasonic heating. The effects of different amylose/amylopectin ratios on the microstructure and water retention properties of starch hydrogels were studied. The results show that an increase in amylopectin content is beneficial to improve the grafting ratio of acrylamide (AM). The interaction between the AM grafted on amylopectin and amylose molecules through hydrogen bonding increases the pores of the gel network and thins the pore walls. When the amylopectin content was 70%, the water absorption (swelling 45.25 times) and water retention performance (16 days water retention rate 44.17%) were optimal. This study provides new insights into the preparation of starch-based hydrogels with excellent physical and chemical properties.
Highlights
Global warming conditions have resulted in water shortages globally [1], leading to serious desertification
In which amylose is encapsulated in granules, in this study, amylose and amylopectin were physically blended, and distilled water was added to make the amylose and amylopectin evenly mixed under the action of ultrasonic heating (Power:400 W Frequency:40 KHz)
Amylose/amylopectin with different ratio and acrylamide were utilized as raw materials to prepare water absorbent gels with the aid of ultrasonic heating
Summary
Global warming conditions have resulted in water shortages globally [1], leading to serious desertification. High-efficiency water storage materials, such as water-absorbing and water-retaining gels, have become popular research interests. Its excellent water storage and excellent ability to slowly release water from swollen hydrogels have been widely used in various industries, such as agriculture and horticulture [12,13,14,15,16]. In water-scarce areas, the use of absorbent hydrogels can help reduce irrigation water and maintain soil moisture. Studies have shown that absorbent hydrogels can regulate the evaporation and infiltration of water by affecting the density and structure of the soil, thereby significantly improving soil nutrient retention and physical properties [17]. Its ability to improve microbial activity brings great benefits to agricultural production [18]
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