Title
Novel alginate-cellulose nanofiber-poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels for carrying and delivering nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium chemicals
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2021
Abstract
Novel nanocomposite hydrogels were successfully prepared by blending and crosslinking sodium alginate (SA), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) in the presence of a fertilizer formulation containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). The hydrogels had a macroporous flexible core and a microporous semi- interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) shell. The crystalline nature of the NPK chemicals was retained in the hydrogel nanocomposite network. Furthermore, the SA/CNF/PVA-based hydrogels showed a higher water-retention capacity in both deionized water and mixed soil. The swelling behavior in various physiological pH, salt and alkali solutions exhibited good sensitivity. The NPK release from SA/CNF/NPK and SA/CNF/PVA/NPK hydrogels was controlled by Fickian diffusion in both water and soil based on the Korsmeyer-Peppas release kinetics model (n < 0.5). Therefore, the prepared hydrogels have the potential for applications in drought-prone and/or fertilizer-loss regions for future development of precision agriculture and horticulture.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
International journal of biological macromolecules
First Page
330
Last Page
340
Recommended Citation
Liu, S., Wu, Q., Sun, X., Yue, Y., Tubana, B., Yang, R., & Cheng, H. N. (2021). Novel alginate-cellulose nanofiber-poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels for carrying and delivering nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium chemicals. International journal of biological macromolecules, 172, 330-340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.01.063