CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

1.1 Introduction
Leaching has become a major contributor in the eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs
Urea is the most widely used nitrogen fertilizer in world agriculture (Zheng Tong, 2009). It is
hard to control the rate of release of urea throughout the soil; because of it the distribution of
nutrients is unbalanced with the entire crops. The residue from the urea that seeps through the
soil may pollute water reservoirs.
During the 1980s, materials that are cellulosic or fiber-based products are used for
water absorption. The examples of these are tissue paper, cotton, sponge, and fluff pulp. The
materials could absorb and retain liquid 11 times its mass.
In the early 1960s, researches were conducted for materials that improves the water
conservation in soils by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). A resin based
on the grafting of acrylonitrile polymer onto the backbone of starch molecules (i.e. starchgrafting) was developed. The synthesized polymer gave water absorption greater than 400
times its mass. Moreover, the resulting product did not release the liquid water unlike the
fiber-based absorbents. A wide range of grafting combinations were attempted along with
acrylic acid, acrylamide and polyvinyl alcohol.
Superabsorbent polymers are used in drinking water, wastewater treatment, mining,
and agriculture. In this research we are going to focus with one function of superabsorbent
hydrogels which is in agriculture. In some countries, they use superabsorbent hydrogels to
halter damaging floods and keep soil moisture in farmlands. They use superabsorbent

hydrogels as an additive, as reservoir of nutrients and as water superabsorbent in soil (Roqieh

Barihi, 2013).
Chitosan, a biopolymer is biodegradable, biocompatible, non-toxic, economic, and
have a great potential over wide range of applications which were due to the presence of
OH and NH2 groups. Therefore, chitosan acts as a desirable backbone to graft poly (acrylic
acid) forming a superabsorbent material. Superabsorbent hydrogels (SH) are water insoluble
and are able to absorb and retain large amounts of aqueous fluids even under pressure
Therefore, SH exhibit great advantages over traditional water-absorbent materials. As a
result, SH have aroused huge interest and consequently, these materials have been applied in
several fields, such as hygienic products, horticulture, drug delivery systems, as well as water
blocking tapes, and coal dewatering (Cristiane Spagnol, 2012).
There are other methods to prevent leaching besides using superabsorbent hydrogels;
some also uses coated or encapsulated fertilizers on crops for agriculture but using it costs
higher than that of the conventional mineral fertilizers.
Through this research, we can broaden the materials we could use in synthesizing
superabsorbent hydrogels by grafting chitosan into another composite. Furthermore, we
could study the amount of urea the microgel could absorb and the efficiency of the
controlled-release in various medium.

1.2 Objective of the study

The main objective of this study were to develop a superabsorbent microgel nanoparticles
made from chitosan-graft-poly (acrylic acid) in inverse miniemulsion polymerization and
evaluate the potential control release of urea from it.
Furthermore, this research specifically aimed to obtain the following:
1.2.1 Swelling of chitosan-g-poly (acrylic acid) microgel nanoparticles in:
1.2.1.1 Water
1.2.1.2 Aqueous solutions of urea with concentrations of 0, 0.5 and 1g/L.
1.2.2 Release rate of urea from swelled chitosan-g-poly (acrylic acid) microgel
nanoparticles in:
1.2.2.1 Water
1.2.2.2 Soil
1.2.3 Influence of size of microgel nanoparticle on the control release of urea
1.2.4 Characterization of chitosan-g-poly (acrylic acid), nanoparticle and size
distribution of miniemulsion droplets.
1.3 Significance of the study
Enclosed in this study is the significance of it on the following:
Community: This study provides valuable information with the proper utilization and the effects
on the agriculture by using superabsorbent hydrogels.
Environment: This study offers alternative solution to lessen water pollution.

Adamson University: This study was an improvement and an additional useful document for the
students, especially those that are interested about nanotechnology in the university.
Future researchers: This research provides information that could be helpful for future
researches and related studies; in lined with this, it can be an innovation for the in depth study of
superabsorbent hydrogels and nanotechnology and can be a supplement study for the other
applications of superabsorbent hydrogels that can be applicable to other industry.
1.4 Scope and Limitations
This study is focused on synthesizing a superabsorbent liquid using chitosan-gpoly (acrylic acid), nanowhiskers, N-methylbiscralamite as cross-linker, and ammonium
persulfate as initiator by means of inverse miniemulsion. Nanowhiskers are formed from
cotton fibers through acid hydrolysis. The characterization of the superabsorbent
hydrogel focuses on the swelling capacity, and rate of the release. There are other
parameters that define the efficiency of the superabsorbent hydrogel but we are only
concern with the focus of the study.
1.5 Definition of terms
Cross-link. Is a bond that links one polymer chain to another. It is used to hold the bond
between chitosan-g-poly (acrylic acid) and the nanowhiskers.
Eutrophication. A process where water bodies receive excess nutrients that stimulate
excessive plant growth, and occasionally produces toxins like microcystin, posing a risk to
both recreational and drinking water use.
Grafting. The addition of polymer chains onto a surface. It is used for production of a
superabsorbent polymer of chitosan.

Hydrogels. Are water absorbing polymers when cross-linked, they absorb aqueous solutions
through hydrogen bonding with water molecules.
Leaching. Is the loss of water-soluble plant nutrients from the soil.