JoVE - Journal of Visualized Experiments
JoVE Visualize
Contact Us

Development and characterization of a carboxymethyl cellulose-alginate hybrid superabsorbent hydrogel designed for water management in agriculture

  • 0Cadi Ayyad University, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Laboratory of Water Sciences, Microbial Biotechnologies and Natural Resources Sustainability, B.P. 2390, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco; National Center for Research and Studies on Water and Energy (CNEREE), Cadi Ayyad University, B. 511, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules +

|

August 23, 2025

|

August 23, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces a novel, eco-friendly superabsorbent polymer (SAP) made from carboxymethyl cellulose and sodium alginate for agriculture. This sustainable hydrogel enhances water management by maximizing water absorption and retention, reducing microplastic pollution.

Area Of Science

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Agricultural Science

Background

  • Agriculture faces critical water scarcity and inefficient irrigation, consuming 70% of global freshwater.
  • Conventional synthetic superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) contribute to microplastic pollution, necessitating sustainable alternatives.
  • Developing high-performance, eco-friendly SAPs is crucial for sustainable agricultural water management.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To synthesize and characterize a novel carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/sodium alginate (Na-Alg) hybrid hydrogel as a sustainable SAP for agricultural applications.
  • To optimize hydrogel formulation for minimized synthetic monomer content and maximized water absorption capacity.
  • To evaluate the hydrogel's performance under various environmental conditions and assess its reusability.

Main Methods

  • Free-radical graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM) onto a CMC/Na-Alg polysaccharide backbone.
  • Design-Expert software used for formulation optimization to minimize acrylic monomer content and maximize swelling capacity.
  • Characterization using FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, and rheological analysis; swelling behavior evaluated under varying pH, salinity, and temperature.

Main Results

  • The optimal CMC-6 formulation (AA/CMC = 3.25, Na-Alg/CMC = 0.6) achieved a maximum water absorption capacity of 1636.69 g/g.
  • Characterization confirmed successful grafting, crosslinking, and a porous morphology contributing to high swelling.
  • The hydrogel demonstrated good thermal and mechanical stability, maintained swelling across a wide pH range (max at pH 8), and showed reduced swelling with increased salinity and multivalent cations.
  • Excellent water retention over five days and good reusability over multiple cycles were observed, along with thermoresponsive behavior.

Conclusions

  • The novel CMC/Na-Alg hybrid hydrogel is a high-performance, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic SAPs for agricultural water management.
  • Its tunable swelling properties, stability, water retention, and reusability make it a promising candidate for sustainable agriculture.
  • This development addresses microplastic pollution concerns while offering an effective solution for water scarcity in agriculture.

Keywords: