Micro-dynamic behavior and self-adjusting water transmit mechanism of water-transferring composite

Abstract

Constructional and micro-dynamic process of the water-transferring composite was analyzed. This composite can transmit water to soil with a self-adjustable speed to ensure the survival of seedlings in arid and semi-arid regions when it is embedded in soil around the roots of the seedlings. It is obtained from natural plant fiber coated with a colloid made by mixing a certain proportion of polyacrylamide and montmorillonite. The rules of water being transmitted to soil by the coating under different condition were tested by M-30 quick moisture measure instrument. The process of water-desorption of the coating material was investigated by a Perkin Elmer Diamond S II thermal multi-analyzer. Moreover, the micro-dynamic behavior was detected by a FEIQuanta 2000 environment scanning electron microscope. The results demonstrate that montmorillonite has lower water-desorption energy barrier than polyacrylamide and can lose water more easily. montmorillonite particles bridge up to be the main water-transmit material at low water potential (when the soil relatively dry or when the temperature is high), and they break bridge at high water potential while the polyacrylamide acts as the main water-transmit material.