Hydrogels Based on Starch from Various Natural Sources: Synthesis and Characterization

Hydrogels based on a graft copolymer of acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AAm) backbone starch, obtained from different natural sources, have been prepared characterized for potential agricultural use, as soil moisture regulators nutrient sources plant nutrition. Five types starch are used: corn, waxy wheat, potato, rice starch. by solution polymerization method, in the presence ammonium persulphate (PSA) initiator N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) cross-linking agent. Thermal physico-chemical properties, such thermogravimetry analysis differential scanning calorimetry data swelling properties hydrogels, observed. The influences agent ratio (SR) solubility hydrogels studied optimized. highest SR observed water corresponded to non-cross-linked with corn (780 g per dry matter), these sulfate calcium nitrate solutions 9.6 1.2 matter, respectively. Higher thermal stability is cross-linked starch-g-(AA-AAm) hydrogels. higher SR, but also significant water.