Eco-friendly superabsorbent polymer synthesis using diatomaceous earth: development, characterization and its application
Abstract The toxic hydrated micro-elements present in various superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) during manufacturing on large scale. Thecontamination negatively impacts seed germination rates, crop growth, production yields, and the development of root and shoot systems. Due to these adverse effects th...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Discover Chemistry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44371-025-00239-3 |
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| Summary: | Abstract The toxic hydrated micro-elements present in various superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) during manufacturing on large scale. Thecontamination negatively impacts seed germination rates, crop growth, production yields, and the development of root and shoot systems. Due to these adverse effects the use of SAPs started decreasing in the agriculture industry. So in this research we have generated a modified superabsorbent polymer named (AD-SAP). It was synthesized by acrylic acid modified by ammonia solution and grafted with sodium modified diatomaceous earth. Here instead of sodium hydroxide strong alkali solution we have taken an ammonia solution to enhance the grafting efficiency. The synthesized samples were characterized by (FTIR) fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, (XRD) X-ray diffraction, (TGA) thermo-gravimetric analysis, and (SEM) scanning electron microscopy. The investigation of residual hydrated toxic components in AD-SAPs was performed. During preparation the effect of the amount of non-residual acrylic acid and the amount of ammonia solution was also investigated. When 5% of diatomaceous earth, 28% ammonia solution, and 32% acrylic acid were used for manufacturing, the concentration of sodium ions and residual acrylic acid was reduced to 0.12 g/kg, and 0.03% respectively. The water absorption capacity and salt resistance was improved. The water absorption was increased to 58.9%, and the salt resistance ratio is about 58 g/g. We have performed a pot experiment and observed that AD-SAP eliminated the adverse effect of commercial SAPs on crop production. This research provided technical support for the modification of high water absorbing SAPs and to overcome the adverse effect of SAPs on crops. |
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| ISSN: | 3005-1193 |