Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Institutional Repository

Synthesis, optimization, characterization, and potential agricultural application of polymer hydrogel composites based on cotton microfiber

Laftah, Waham Ashaier and Hashim, Shahrir (2014) Synthesis, optimization, characterization, and potential agricultural application of polymer hydrogel composites based on cotton microfiber. Chemical Papers, 68 (6). pp. 798-808. ISSN 0366-6352

Full text not available from this repository.

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/s11696-013-0507-5

Abstract

The optimum content of cotton microfiber, initiator, cross-linker, and sodium hydroxide were determined using the central composite design method. Polymer hydrogels (PHGs) were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis. A comparison between plain PHG and the polymer hydrogel composite (PHGC) in terms of biodegradation, swelling rate, and re-swelling capacity was carried out. The effect of PHGC on the sandy soil holding capacity, urea leaching loss rate (ULLR), and okra plant growth were evaluated. The highest water absorption capacity was obtained at 1.30 mass %, 0.15 mass %, 13.00 mass %, and 13.50 mass % of the initiator, cross-linker, sodium hydroxide, and cotton microfiber, respectively. Cotton microfiber has a prominent effect on the swelling rate, re-swelling capacity, and biodegradability of PHG. Okra plant growth and ULLR were positively affected by PHGC and the best leaching loss rate of 33.3 mass % was observed for the lowest urea loaded sample.

Item Type:Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:swelling properties, water absorption capacity
Subjects:T Technology > TP Chemical technology
Divisions:Chemical Engineering
ID Code:62798
Deposited By: Fazli Masari
Deposited On:15 Jun 2017 03:06
Last Modified:15 Jun 2017 03:06

Repository Staff Only: item control page