PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF N, N1-METHYLENEBISACRYLAMIDE CROSSLINKED POLYMER FOR THE CONTROLLED RELEASE OF WATER AND FERTILIZER IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR

Abstract

The present study involved in the synthesis of a series of hydrophilic crosslinked superabsorbent polymer (SAP) materials by free radical thermal copolymerization method using methacrylic acid (MAA), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), acrylamide (AM) as monomers and N,N1-methylenebisacrylamide (N,N1-MBA) as crosslinker. The structural (FT-IR), thermal stability (TGA/DTG), morphological features (SEM), water, fertilizer uptakes and release characteristics of synthesized SAPs were analyzed for field application. An optimized polymer composition had absorbed 839 g/g of water and it released the imbibed water over a period of 23 days. Fertilizer uptake investigation revealed that 85, 70 and 80% of urea, potash and superphosphate respectively were absorbed from their 1% solution and it had released only 33, 39 and 45% of urea, potash and superphosphate respectively at room temperature in a single absorption-desorption cycle. The results indicated that the obtained polymer may be used as matrix for the controlled release of water and fertilizers in agriculture sector.