Preparation of Sodium Carboxymethly Cellulose Hydrogels for Controlled Release of Copper Micronutrient

Abstract

Inthis study, a series of nanoporoussodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) hydrogels were synthesized using FeCl3ionic-crosslinker by changing the amounts of the components. Hydrogel formation percentages of the samples were determined and thehighest value was obtained as 96% for the hydrogel containing the most amountsof polymer and crosslinker. Swelling/degradation behaviors of the hydrogelswere studied by changing time, temperature and pH and it was determined thatthe swelling percentages regularlydecreased with increasing the amounts of polymer and crossliker. S%values were determined to be 102% for the least swollen hydrogel. In general, NaCMC hydrogelsmuch more swelled in basic medium than acidic medium. Releasing of copper micronutrient from NaCMChydrogels were investigated by Atomic Absorption Spectrometermeasurements.  Kinetic in vitro releaseparameters, the release rate factor K andthe release exponent n ofmicronutrients in hydrogel system were calculated. It can be concluded that theproduced hydrogel system having controllable release values is useful foragricultural applications.