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Article

Impact of Modifications from Potassium Hydroxide on Porous Semi-IPN Hydrogel Properties and Its Application in Cultivation

1
Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education, No. 1, Vo Van Ngan Street, Linh Chieu Ward, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City 71307, Vietnam
2
Faculty of Chemical Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, No. 140, Le Trong Tan Street, Tay Thanh Ward, Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City 72009, Vietnam
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Polymers 2024, 16(9), 1195; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091195
Submission received: 16 March 2024 / Revised: 18 April 2024 / Accepted: 19 April 2024 / Published: 25 April 2024

Abstract

This study synthesized and modified a semi-interpenetrating polymer network hydrogel from polyacrylamide, N,N′-dimethylacrylamide, and maleic acid in a potassium hydroxide solution. The chemical composition, interior morphology, thermal properties, mechanical characteristics, and swelling behaviors of the initial hydrogel (SH) and modified hydrogel (SB) in water, salt solutions, and buffer solutions were investigated. Hydrogels were used as phosphate fertilizer (PF) carriers and applied in farming techniques by evaluating their impact on soil properties and the growth of mustard greens. Fourier-transform infrared spectra confirmed the chemical composition of SH, SB, and PF-adsorbed hydrogels. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that modification increased the largest pore size from 817 to 1513 µm for SH and SB hydrogels, respectively. After modification, the hydrogels had positive changes in the swelling ratio, swelling kinetics, thermal properties, mechanical and rheological properties, PF absorption, and PF release. The modification also increased the maximum amount of PF loaded into the hydrogel from 710.8 mg/g to 770.9 mg/g, while the maximum % release of PF slightly increased from 84.42% to 85.80%. In addition, to evaluate the PF release mechanism and the factors that influence this process, four kinetic models were applied to confirm the best-fit model, which included zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer–Peppas. In addition, after six cycles of absorption and release in the soil, the hydrogels retained their original shapes, causing no alkalinization or acidification. At the same time, the moisture content was higher as SB was used. Finally, modifying the hydrogel increased the mustard greens’ lifespan from 20 to 32 days. These results showed the potential applications of modified semi–IPN hydrogel materials in cultivation.
Keywords: semi-IPN hydrogel; modified hydrogel; N,N′-dimethylacrylamide; phosphate fertilizer; mustard green semi-IPN hydrogel; modified hydrogel; N,N′-dimethylacrylamide; phosphate fertilizer; mustard green
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MDPI and ACS Style

Tuan, H.N.A.; Phan, B.T.C.; Giang, H.N.; Nguyen, G.T.; Le, T.D.H.; Phuong, H. Impact of Modifications from Potassium Hydroxide on Porous Semi-IPN Hydrogel Properties and Its Application in Cultivation. Polymers 2024, 16, 1195. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091195

AMA Style

Tuan HNA, Phan BTC, Giang HN, Nguyen GT, Le TDH, Phuong H. Impact of Modifications from Potassium Hydroxide on Porous Semi-IPN Hydrogel Properties and Its Application in Cultivation. Polymers. 2024; 16(9):1195. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091195

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tuan, Huynh Nguyen Anh, Bui Thi Cam Phan, Ha Ngoc Giang, Giang Tien Nguyen, Thi Duy Hanh Le, and Ho Phuong. 2024. "Impact of Modifications from Potassium Hydroxide on Porous Semi-IPN Hydrogel Properties and Its Application in Cultivation" Polymers 16, no. 9: 1195. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091195

APA Style

Tuan, H. N. A., Phan, B. T. C., Giang, H. N., Nguyen, G. T., Le, T. D. H., & Phuong, H. (2024). Impact of Modifications from Potassium Hydroxide on Porous Semi-IPN Hydrogel Properties and Its Application in Cultivation. Polymers, 16(9), 1195. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091195

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