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  • Starch derivative-based superabsorbent with integration of water-retaining and controlled-release fertilizers.

Starch derivative-based superabsorbent with integration of water-retaining and controlled-release fertilizers.

Carbohydrate polymers (2013-02-13)
Kang Zhong, Zuan-Tao Lin, Xi-Liang Zheng, Gang-Biao Jiang, Yu-Sheng Fang, Xiao-Yun Mao, Zong-Wen Liao
ABSTRACT

Phosphate rock (PHR), a traditional fertilizer, is abundant, but is hard to be utilized by plants. To improve the utilization of PHR, and to integrate water-retaining and controlled-release fertilizers, an agricultural superabsorbent polymer based on sulfonated corn starch/poly (acrylic acid) embedding phosphate rock (SCS/PAA/PHR) was prepared. PHR can be suspended and well-dispersed in SCS/PAA by sulfonated corn starch (SCS). PHR and KOH were mixed in acrylic acid solution to provide phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) nutrients, respectively. Impacts on water absorption capacity of the superabsorbent were investigated. The maximum swelling capacity in distilled water or 0.9 wt.% (weight percent) NaCl solution reached 498 g g(-1) and 65 g g(-1) (water/prepared dry superabsorbent) respectively. Moreover, release behaviours of P and K in SCS/PAA/PHR were also investigated. The results showed that SCS/PAA/PHR possessed excellent sustained-release property of plant nutrient, and the SCS/PAA could improve the P release greatly. Besides, the XPS analysis was employed to study the relationship between PHR and superabsorbent polymer.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid) solution, average Mw ~100,000, 35 wt. % in H2O
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid, sodium salt) solution, average Mw ~8,000, 45 wt. % in H2O
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid) solution, average Mw ~250,000, 35 wt. % in H2O
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid) solution, average Mw ~2,000, 50 wt. % in H2O, electronic grade
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid, sodium salt) solution, average Mw ~1,200, 45 wt. % in H2O
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid), average Mv ~3,000,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid sodium salt), average Mw ~2,100
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid)
Supelco
Poly(acrylic acid sodium salt), analytical standard, for GPC, 16,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid), average Mv ~1,250,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid), average Mv ~4,000,000
Supelco
Poly(acrylic acid), analytical standard, average Mn 130,000 (Typical)
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid sodium salt), average Mw ~5,100 by GPC, powder
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid), average Mv ~450,000