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Biodegradable Interpolycomplexes for Anti-Erosion Stabilization of Soil and Sand
Olga A Novoskoltseva1, Andrey A Belov2, Nataliya G Loiko3
1Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
Polymers
|December 23, 2022
Summary
Sodium alginate and quaternized hydroxyethyl cellulose ethoxylate form interpolyelectrolyte complexes for soil and sand stabilization. These biodegradable coatings offer water resistance and low toxicity, with cationic polycomplexes yielding stronger results.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Environmental Engineering
Background:
- Soil and sand erosion is a significant environmental issue.
- Developing effective and eco-friendly stabilization methods is crucial.
- Polysaccharides offer biodegradable and potentially low-toxicity solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation and properties of interpolyelectrolyte complexes between sodium alginate and quaternized hydroxyethyl cellulose ethoxylate.
- To evaluate the efficacy of these polycomplexes in stabilizing soil and sand against water erosion.
- To characterize the physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties of the resulting coatings.
Main Methods:
- Formation of interpolyelectrolyte complexes in aqueous solution.
- Preparation of soil/sand coatings using polymer solutions.
- Characterization via gravimetric analysis, viscosimetry, mechanical strength tests, cell viability assays, and degradation studies.
- Assessment of coating stability upon re-watering.
Main Results:
- Non-stoichiometric polycomplexes formed stable solutions/dispersions.
- Complexation decreased solution viscosity.
- Polycomplexes dissociated in 0.2 M NaCl.
- Strong composite coatings formed on soil/sand after drying.
- Cationic polycomplexes produced stronger coatings than anionic ones.
- Soil coatings were water-stable; sand coatings were less resistant.
- Polysaccharides showed low toxicity.
- Bacillus subtilis initiated degradation.
- Coatings decomposed in soil within 6 weeks.
Conclusions:
- Interpolyelectrolyte complexes of sodium alginate and quaternized hydroxyethyl cellulose ethoxylate can create effective soil and sand protective coatings.
- The developed coatings exhibit water resistance, low toxicity, and biodegradability.
- Cationic polycomplexes demonstrate superior performance in forming robust and water-stable coatings, particularly for soil applications.
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