Development of Cellulose from Sugarcane Bagasse and Polyacrylamide-Based Hydrogel Composites by Gamma Irradiation Technique: A Study of Controlled-Release Behavior of Urea

Cellulose was successfully purified from sugarcane bagasse by gamma irradiation technique. The crystallinity of cellulose was reduced by gamma irradiation. After that, irradiated cellulose fiber and polyacrylamide hydrogel composite was successfully prepared by means of gamma irradiation technique. The dose of gamma ray was set to be 15, 30, 60 and 90 kGy at room temperature in air. No significant change on structural properties was observed by Fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction technique. The existence of porosity was observed by scanning electron microscope. The presence of cellulose was existed in between polyacrylamide network. With the increment on gamma ray dose, pore size and swelling behavior were subsequently decreased. Thermogravimetric analysis reported that hydrogel was thermally stable up to 300 °C. In addition, the release behavior was rapid within 4 h and then it was stable. It was remarkable to note that irradiated cellulose and polyacrylamide hydrogel composite exhibited outstanding properties as a candidate in agricultural farm. Graphical Abstract