Impacts of mechanical and chemical factors on the water-holding capacity of polyacrylamide in sand: models and mechanisms
Yudi Wu
A C , Simeng Li B and Gang Chen A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, Florida, 32310, USA.
B Department of Civil Engineering, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, 3801 West Temple Avenue, Pomona, California, 91768, USA.
C Corresponding author: Email: yw17h@my.fsu.edu
Soil Research 59(5) 501-510 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR20200
Submitted: 20 July 2020 Accepted: 9 February 2021 Published: 24 March 2021
Abstract
Owing to its significant capacity to conserve water in soils, polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogels have been applied extensively in croplands to combat droughts. However, the influences of different mechanical and chemical factors of sand on its swelling capacity is still unclear. The objective of this study is to reveal the relationships between swelling profile of PAM in sand and sand mechanical and chemical properties, using an originally designed laboratory-scaled column apparatus. Different water management strategies and sand properties, including water infiltration rates (0.6, 1.4, 1.9, and 2.5 m day–1), application depth (5.5, 11.0, and 16.5 cm), solution pH (5.0, 6.9 and 9.0), and ionic strengths (0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 M) were investigated in the present study. Chemical properties of sand medium (i.e. ionic strengths and pH conditions) reduced up to 70% of water holding capacity. Vertical stress limited water holding capacity to 50–60% of the maximum value, demonstrating that its effect has been underestimated in the past. Infiltration rate influenced the swelling profile but not the maximum water holding capacity. Results were fitted with the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, Gallagher-Corrigan model and First-Order model to derive parameters that highlight the impacts of the sand properties. Through model simulation, swelling behaviour was well explained with rapid swelling followed by further release in swelling. The discoveries in this study demonstrate the important roles of mechanical and chemical factors during the water absorption process of agricultural hydrogels.
Keywords: polyacrylamide hydrogel, absorption capacity, water infiltration rate, vertical mechanical stress, sand pH, ionic strength, swelling model.
References
Abd El-Rehim HA (2006) Characterization and possible agricultural application of polyacrylamide/sodium alginate crosslinked hydrogels prepared by ionizing radiation. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 101, 3572–3580.| Characterization and possible agricultural application of polyacrylamide/sodium alginate crosslinked hydrogels prepared by ionizing radiation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
AghaKouchak A, Feldman D, Hoerling M, Huxman T, Lund J (2015) Water and climate: Recognize anthropogenic drought. Nature 524, 409–411.
| Water and climate: Recognize anthropogenic drought.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26310750PubMed |
Al-Hashmi AR, Luckham PF, Al-Maamari RS, Zaitoun A, Al-Sharji HH (2012) The role of hydration degree of cations and anions on the adsorption of high-molecular-weight nonionic polyacrylamide on glass surfaces. Colloids and Surfaces. A, Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects 415, 91–97.
| The role of hydration degree of cations and anions on the adsorption of high-molecular-weight nonionic polyacrylamide on glass surfaces.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Azizian S (2004) Kinetic models of sorption: A theoretical analysis. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 276, 47–52.
| Kinetic models of sorption: A theoretical analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15219428PubMed |
Babrauskas V (2016) Explosions of ammonium nitrate fertilizer in storage or transportation are preventable accidents. Journal of Hazardous Materials 304, 134–149.
| Explosions of ammonium nitrate fertilizer in storage or transportation are preventable accidents.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26547622PubMed |
Bai W, Zhang H, Liu B, Wu Y, Song J (2010) Effects of super-absorbent polymers on the physical and chemical properties of soil following different wetting and drying cycles. Soil Use and Management 26, 253–260.
| Effects of super-absorbent polymers on the physical and chemical properties of soil following different wetting and drying cycles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Balcerzak J, Mucha M (2010) Analysis of model drug release kinetics from complex matrices of polylactide-chitosan. Progress on Chemistry and Application of Chitin and its Derivatives 15, 117–126.
Bin Imran A, Esaki K, Gotoh H, Seki T, Ito K, Sakai Y, Takeoka Y (2014) Extremely stretchable thermosensitive hydrogels by introducing slide-ring polyrotaxane cross-linkers and ionic groups into the polymer network. Nature Communications 5,
| Extremely stretchable thermosensitive hydrogels by introducing slide-ring polyrotaxane cross-linkers and ionic groups into the polymer network.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25296246PubMed |
Cannazza G, Cataldo A, De Benedetto E, Demitri C, Madaghiele M, Sannino A (2014) Experimental assessment of the use of a novel superabsorbent polymer (SAP) for the optimization ofwater consumption in agricultural irrigation process. Water (Basel) 6, 2056–2069.
| Experimental assessment of the use of a novel superabsorbent polymer (SAP) for the optimization ofwater consumption in agricultural irrigation process.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Costine A, Cox J, Travaglini S, Lubansky A, Fawell P, Misslitz H (2018) Variations in the molecular weight response of anionic polyacrylamides under different flocculation conditions. Chemical Engineering Science 176, 127–138.
| Variations in the molecular weight response of anionic polyacrylamides under different flocculation conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dorraji SS, Golchin A, Ahmadi S (2010) The effects of hydrophilic polymer and soil salinity on corn growth in sandy and loamy soils. Clean–Soil, Air Water (Basel) 38, 584–591.
| The effects of hydrophilic polymer and soil salinity on corn growth in sandy and loamy soils. Clean–Soil, AirCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ekebafe LO, Ogbeifun DE, Okieimen FE (2011) Effect of native cassava starch-poly (sodium acrylate-co-acrylamide) hydrogel on the growth performance of maize (Zea mays) seedlings. American Journal of Political Science 1, 6–11.
| Effect of native cassava starch-poly (sodium acrylate-co-acrylamide) hydrogel on the growth performance of maize (Zea mays) seedlings.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Frantz JM, Locke JC, Pitchay DS, Krause CR (2005) Actual performance versus theoretical advantages of polyacrylamide hydrogel throughout bedding plant production. HortScience 40, 2040–2046.
| Actual performance versus theoretical advantages of polyacrylamide hydrogel throughout bedding plant production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Frisch HL (1980) Sorption and transport in glassy polymers–a review. Polymer Engineering and Science 20, 2–13.
| Sorption and transport in glassy polymers–a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hua R, Li ZK (2014) Sulfhydryl functionalized hydrogel with magnetism: Synthesis, characterization, and adsorption behavior study for heavy metal removal. Chemical Engineering Journal 249, 189–200.
| Sulfhydryl functionalized hydrogel with magnetism: Synthesis, characterization, and adsorption behavior study for heavy metal removal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jeffery S, Verheijen FGA, van der Velde M, Bastos AC (2011) A quantitative review of the effects of biochar application to soils on crop productivity using meta-analysis. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 144, 175–187.
| A quantitative review of the effects of biochar application to soils on crop productivity using meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kant AC, Turan M (2011) Hydrogel substrate alleviates salt stress with increase antioxidant enzymes activity of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under salinity stress. African Journal of Agricultural Research 6, 715–724.
| Hydrogel substrate alleviates salt stress with increase antioxidant enzymes activity of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under salinity stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kim S, Iyer G, Nadarajah A, Frantz JM, Spongberg AL (2010) Polyacrylamide hydrogel properties for horticultural applications. International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization 15, 307–318.
| Polyacrylamide hydrogel properties for horticultural applications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Langdale GW, Alberts EE, Bruce RR, Edwards WM, McGregor KC (2018) Concepts of residue management: infiltration, runoff, and erosion. In ‘Crops Residue Management’. (Eds J. L. Hatfield, B, A. Stewart) pp. 109–124. (CRC Press: Boca Raton)
Lohmousavi SM, Abad HHS, Noormohammadi G, Delkhosh B (2020) Synthesis and characterization of a novel controlled release nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizer hybrid nanocomposite based on banana peel cellulose and layered double hydroxides nanosheets. Arabian Journal of Chemistry 13, 6977–6985.
| Synthesis and characterization of a novel controlled release nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizer hybrid nanocomposite based on banana peel cellulose and layered double hydroxides nanosheets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lopez-Sanchez P, Cersosimo J, Wang DJ, Flanagan B, Stokes JR, Gidley MJ (2015) Poroelastic mechanical effects of hemicelluloses on cellulosic hydrogels under compression. PLoS One 10,
| Poroelastic mechanical effects of hemicelluloses on cellulosic hydrogels under compression.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25794048PubMed |
Lü SY, Feng C, Gao CM, Wang XG, Xu XB, Bai X, Gao NN, Liu MZ (2016) Multifunctional Environmental Smart Fertilizer Based on L-Aspartic Acid for Sustained Nutrient Release. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 64, 4965–4974.
| Multifunctional Environmental Smart Fertilizer Based on L-Aspartic Acid for Sustained Nutrient Release.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ma QS, Shuler PJ, Aften CW, Tang YC (2015) Theoretical studies of hydrolysis and stability of polyacrylamide polymers. Polymer Degradation & Stability 121, 69–77.
| Theoretical studies of hydrolysis and stability of polyacrylamide polymers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ma L, Shi Y, Siemianowski O, Yuan B, Egner TK, Mirnezami SV, Lind KR, Ganapathysubramanian B, Venditti V, Cademartiri L (2019) Hydrogel-based transparent soils for root phenotyping in vivo. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 116, 11063–11068.
| Hydrogel-based transparent soils for root phenotyping in vivo.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31088969PubMed |
Pal D, Nayak AK, Saha S (2019) Cellulose-based hydrogels: present and future. In ‘Natural Bio-active Compounds’. (Eds M Akhtar, M Swamy, U Sinniah). pp. 285–332. (Springer: Singapore)
Parvathy PC, Jyothi AN, John KS, Sreekumar J (2014) Cassava Starch Based Superabsorbent Polymer as Soil Conditioner: Impact on Soil Physico-Chemical and Biological Properties and Plant Growth. CLEAN – Soil, Air Water (Basel) 42, 1610–1617.
| Cassava Starch Based Superabsorbent Polymer as Soil Conditioner: Impact on Soil Physico-Chemical and Biological Properties and Plant Growth. CLEAN – Soil, AirCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Paul D, Lade H (2014) Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria to improve crop growth in saline soils: a review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 34, 737–752.
| Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria to improve crop growth in saline soils: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Qados A (2015) Effects of super absorbent polymer and Azotobacter vinelandii on growth and survival of Ficus benjamina L. Seedlings under drought stress conditions. International Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Soil Science 5, 45–57.
| Effects of super absorbent polymer and Azotobacter vinelandii on growth and survival of Ficus benjamina L. Seedlings under drought stress conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ramankutty N, Mehrabi Z, Waha K, Jarvis L, Kremen C, Herrero M, Rieseberg LH (2018) Trends in global agricultural land use: implications for environmental health and food security. Annual Review of Plant Biology 69, 789–815.
| Trends in global agricultural land use: implications for environmental health and food security.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29489395PubMed |
Sadeghi M, Hosseinzadeh H (2008) Synthesis of starch-poly(sodium acrylate-co-acrylamide) superabsorbent hydrogel with salt and pH-Responsiveness properties as a drug delivery system. Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers 23, 381–404.
| Synthesis of starch-poly(sodium acrylate-co-acrylamide) superabsorbent hydrogel with salt and pH-Responsiveness properties as a drug delivery system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Saha A, Sekharan S, Manna U (2020) Superabsorbent hydrogel (SAH) as a soil amendment for drought management: A review. Soil & Tillage Research 204,
| Superabsorbent hydrogel (SAH) as a soil amendment for drought management: A review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sarkar DJ, Bera T, Singh A (2019) Release of urea from cellulosic hydrogel coated urea granule: Modeling effect of crosslink density and pH triggering. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Materials 58, 1914–1926.
| Release of urea from cellulosic hydrogel coated urea granule: Modeling effect of crosslink density and pH triggering.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sharma S, Dua A, Malik A (2017) Biocompatible stimuli responsive superabsorbent polymer for controlled release of GHK-Cu peptide for wound dressing application. Journal of Polymer Research 24, 104
| Biocompatible stimuli responsive superabsorbent polymer for controlled release of GHK-Cu peptide for wound dressing application.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shibayama M (2011) Small-angle neutron scattering on polymer gels: phase behavior, inhomogeneities and deformation mechanisms. Polymer Journal 43, 18–34.
| Small-angle neutron scattering on polymer gels: phase behavior, inhomogeneities and deformation mechanisms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Siepmann J, Peppas NA (2012) Modeling of drug release from delivery systems based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 64, 163–174.
| Modeling of drug release from delivery systems based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Yang LX, Yang Y, Chen Z, Guo CX, Li SC (2014) Influence of super absorbent polymer on soil water retention, seed germination and plant survivals for rocky slopes eco-engineering. Ecological Engineering 62, 27–32.
| Influence of super absorbent polymer on soil water retention, seed germination and plant survivals for rocky slopes eco-engineering.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zheng YA, Wang AQ (2010) Nitrate Adsorption Using Poly(dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride)/Polyacrylamide Hydrogel. Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data 55, 3494–3500.
| Nitrate Adsorption Using Poly(dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride)/Polyacrylamide Hydrogel.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
