Watersorption ability of rare cross-linked polymeric material with superabsorbent properties

Abstract

The aim of investigation is synthesis of polymers with superabsorbent properties and researching it
swelling behavior in different mediums. Hydrophilic rare cross-linked polymeric materials with superabsorbent
properties are synthesized by free radical polymerization with the use of red-ox initiator system. The
quantity of cross-linker is varied in range 0.01-0.1 wt. Superabsorbents containing microelements and humic
acids were prepared by adding metal salts or humic acids concentrate at finish polymerization stage. Including
the additives into polymer networks were confirmed by FTIR. The swelling kinetic of synthesized polymers
was investigated by gravimetric method in distillate water and AlCl3 acidic aqueous solution, which
chose for investigation due to high aluminum salts containing in different types of soil. It was found that with
increasing of cross-linker containing in polymer network the swelling degree is decreased. The maximum of
swelling (500 % wt) in water is reached at 0.01 % wt cross-linker containing. Superabsorbents containing
microelements or humic acids are characterized the lower swelling degree in comparison with polymers
without additives. Investigation of swelling behavior in aluminum salt aqueous solution demonstrates lower
degree of swelling of polymers compared to process in water. Efficiency of synthesized polymers as superabsorbent
for agriculture is demonstrated. The adding of polymers in soil in quantities 10-20 kg/ga leads to barley
yield rising up to 25 % and soil microbiology activity increases in 2 times. Thus the synthesized poly-mers with superabsorbent properties containing mineral elements and humic acids can be efficiently used in
agriculture for plants yield improvement.