Synthesis of wheat straw-g-poly(acrylic acid) superabsorbent composites and release of urea from it

Wheat straw (WS) was used as raw material for synthesizing a novel wheat straw-g-poly(acrylic acid) (WS/PAA) superabsorbent composite by graft polymerization with wheat straw powder and acrylic acid in aqueous solution. The effect of wheat straw on water absorbency was discussed and the highest water absorbency was obtained when the amount of wheat straw in the feed was 20%. The superabsorbent composite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results of FTIR spectra showed -OH of WS participated in graft polymerization with acrylic acid. The influences of pH, cations and anions on equilibrium water absorbency of WS/PAA were investigated. The superabsorbent composite was swollen in aqueous solution of urea to load urea, and the results showed urea concentration had no obvious effect on the swelling behaviors of WS/PAA. Furthermore, the release of urea from loaded WS/PAA was analyzed in water and in soil. Urea diffusion coefficient D was calculated. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.