Synthesis and performance of water absorbing polymer with salt isolation and anti-leakage functions

• Published in: Journal of environmental chemical engineering Vol. 12; no. 1; p. 111682
• Main Authors: Li, Tingli, Kang, Youcai, Liu, Xiaomei, Yang, Cailing, Li, Li, Liu, Panpan, Lei, Ziqiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2024
• Subjects: Anti-leakage performance; Fertilizer retention; New cross-linking agent; Salt isolation performance; Soil; Soil; Fertilizer retention; New cross-linking agent; Anti-leakage performance; Salt isolation performance
• ISSN: 2213-3437; 2213-3437
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2023.111682

The northwest of China is experiencing a severe water deficit and salinization of the land. Pentaerythritol diacrylate (PEDA) was developed as a new cross-linking agent, and Polyacrylic acid/ Pentaerythritol diacrylate (PAA/PEDA) was created by free radical polymerization utilizing acrylic acid as the monomer, to enhance the water retention and salt isolation qualities of soil. Infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to determine the structure, morphology, and thermal stability of the improved SPA. Under ideal synthesis circumstances, the water absorbency of SPA in deionized water, tap water, and NaCl solution (0.9 wt%) was 501 g/g, 150 g/g, and 58 g/g, respectively. The water retention, reswelling, fertilizer retentio, anti-leakage, and salt isolation properties of PAA/PEDA at different temperatures under optimal conditions were investigated. The results showed that the PAA/PEDA material had the best water retention at room temperature; the addition of 0.8% PAA/PEDA material reduced the water infiltration rate by 86% compared with the blank control group; The addition of 0.4% PAA/PEDA material showed a lower salinity trend than the control, and the PAA/PEDA material had a hindering effect on the upward movement of salts in the soil. [Display omitted] •A new cross-linking agent was prepared to synthesize a low-cost, environmentally friendly, super absorbent polymer.•The material interacts with the functional groups in laterite such that water cannot penetrate deeply.•The material can effectively inhibit the upward migration of salts.•The material exhibits excellent fertilizer holding properties.