Synthesis, characterization and application of Lignosulphonate-g- poly(sodium acrylate) hydrogel

Natural polymer-based hydrogels are of great interest to research community owing to their inherent characters of environment friendliness and biodegradability. Current work aims to synthesize lignosulfonate grafted sodium acrylate hydrogel (LS-g-SAH) and investigate its application in urea release behaviour. The hydrogel has been characterized by different techniques. The release kinetics has been analyzed by using a UV-visible spectrophotometer. The optimized composition of lignosulfonate, KPS, and N,N'-MBA has shown the highest water absorbency of 560 g g-1 in distilled water. The equilibrium swollen LS-g-SAH 12 hydrogel has slowly released 60% of loaded urea in 24 h and followed first-order release kinetics. Soil treatment with hydrogel has shown a significant effect in reducing the water evaporation rate. It also improved the seed germination and average height of wheatgrass. The synthesized LS-g-SAH is, thus, expected to have potential application in modern sustainable agriculture.