Journal of Advanced Research

Journal of Advanced Research

Volume 33, November 2021, Pages 15-40
Journal of Advanced Research

Review
Materials diversity of hydrogel: Synthesis, polymerization process and soil conditioning properties in agricultural field

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2021.03.007Get rights and content
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Abstract

Background

The cumulative influence of global warming, climate abrupt changes, growing population, topsoil erosion is becoming a threatening alarm for facing food challenges and upcoming global water issues. It ultimately affects the production of food in a water-stressed environment and slows down the production with more consumption of fertilizers by plants. The superabsorbent hydrogels (SAHs) have extensive applications in the agricultural field and proved very beneficial for plant growth and soil health. These polymeric materials are remarkably distinct from hygroscopic materials owing to their multidimensional network structure. It retains a lot of water in its 3D network and releases it slowly along with nutrients to plant in stressed environment.

Aim of review

A soil conditioner boosts up the topology, compactness, and mechanical properties (swelling, water retention, and slow nutrient release) of soil. The superabsorbent hydrogel plays an astonishing role in preventing the loss of nutrients during the heavy flow of rainwater from the upper surface of soil because these SAHs absorb water and get swollen to keep water for longer time. The SAHs facilitate the growth of plants with limited use of water and fertilizers. Beyond, it improves the soil health and makes it fertile in horticulture and drought areas.

Key scientific concept of review

The SAHs can be synthesized through grafting and cross-linking polymerization to introduce value-added features and extended network structure. The structure of superabsorbent hydrogel entirely based on cross-linking that prompts its use in the agricultural field as a soil conditioner. The properties of a SAHs vary due to its nature of constituents, polymerization process (grafting or cross-linking), and other parameters. The use of SAHs in agricultural field comparatively enhances the swelling rate up to 60–80%, maximum water retaining, and slowly nutrient release to plants for a longer time.

Keywords

Superabsorbent
Soil conditioner
Cross-linking
Grafting
Swelling index
Slow nutrient release
Water retention

Cited by (0)

Muhammad Rizwan is a Ph.D. Chemistry candidate in the University of Engineering & Technology Lahore. He is SS in the Education department. He has five research publications in different Journals and his one book is published in Lambert Publishing house Germany. He is a keen observer, and has curiosity for research in scientific field. His research interest is synthesis of material science, nano-chemistry, and polymer. He has expertise in planning and designing of lab work for any scientific research. He is now doing research on agricultural hydrogels in the supervision of Prof. Dr. Syeda Rubina Gilani.

Prof. Dr. Syeda Rubina Gillani is Chairperson in department of chemistry, University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, Pakistan. She got her Post Doctarate degree from Queens University Kingston Ontario Canada with specialization in organo-metalic Chemistry. Her research interest is very broad covering many areas like designing of novel synthesis of functional foods, Green chemistry, phytochemistry, spectroscopic & analytical chemistry and herbs as medicines etc. She has 24 International publications in journals including Springer & others and 18 publications in National Journals. She won the Quaid-e-Azam Gold medal award in 2014.

Dr. Arjumand Iqbal Durani is an associate professor in Department of Chemistry, University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, Pakistan. She has been working for last 17 years in this institute. She is teaching organic and food chemistry. She got her doctoral degree from Institute of analytical and food chemistry, University of Vienna, Austria. She has research interest in development of new food products, packaging materials, food nanocomposites & edible nanocoatings and biosorbents. She has developed a food lab with advanced analytical instruments.

Sobia Naseem is a Ph.D. Chemistry candidate in the University of Engineering & Technology Lahore. She worked as lecturer of chemistry for 10 years in College. She has five research publications in different Journals and his one book is published in Lambert Publishing house Germany. She has research interests in inorganic, green chemistry, polymer and nanochemistry. She has expertise in operating different analytical instruments (HPLC, FTIR, etc) and Lab management. She is doing research on role of nanocomposites in maintaining the quality of food under the supervision of Dr. Arjumand Iqbal Durani.

Peer review under responsibility of Cairo University.