Study of Properties of Modified Commercial Hydrogel

Abstract

During last the decade, efforts are conducted to substitute superabsorbents based on petrochemicals by natural materials or prepare composite superabsorbents. These eco-friendly hydrogels should be lead to improve soil water retention and nutrient utilization by plants. The presented work was focused to compare properties of modified commercial hydrogel. The modification of commercial hydrogel was done by encapsulation in a mixture of gelatin collagen and clay. The study of the encapsulated hydrogels on water-holding capacity of soil was carried out, when different amounts of encapsulated hydrogels were mixed with dry soil. Also swelling capacity of modified hydrogels was tested in different pH.