Synthesis of tamarind seed gum-based semi-IPN hydrogels with integration of fertilizer retention and anti-evaporation

In this article, a tamarind seed gum-g-poly (acrylic acid-co-2-Acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid/polyvinyl alcohol) (TSG-g-P[AA-co-AMPS/PVA]) was prepared by aqueous solution polymerization. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize. The swelling behaviors, reusability and water-retention capabilities of hydrogels were evaluated. Under optimum synthesis conditions, the maximum equilibrium absorption of hydrogel was 1295 g·g −1 , 208 g·g −1 , 116 g·g −1 in deionized water, tap water and NaCl solution (0.9 wt%) respectively. Application of the hydrogel to soils increased their water-holding and fertilizer retention capacities. Furthermore, the excellent water retention anti-evaporation performance indicated that the hydrogel has the potential for applications in future sustainable agriculture and forestry.