Eggshell (ES) is an abundant waste material which is mainly composed of calcium carbonate. A superabsorbent hydrogel composite based on poly(acrylamide-co-potassium acrylate) as matrix containing 17 wt.% of chicken ES powder as a filler was synthesized and compared with the gel without filler. The characterization was carried out by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), rheological analysis and kinetics studies. The dispersion of ES in the polymeric matrix was homogeneous. The interaction between the acrylate and calcium cation was detected by FTIR analysis. The composite improved the gel strength and the absorption of water and saline solution increased by 100 and 41%, respectively. The high values for the swelling, the homogeneous structure and the good mechanical properties obtained with the incorporation of a relatively high content of a low-cost waste material indicate that this composite is suitable for application in the agriculture. In addition, this approach provides a more ecologically sound and useful destination for eggshell residue.

Hidrogéis superabsorventes à base de acrilamida e acrilato compósito com bentonita ou dolomita foram sintetizados e caracterizados por espectroscopia no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (SEM) e difratometria de raios X (XRD). A proporção ideal de acrilamida para acrilato foi determinada em 1:1. A presença de 10% (m/m) de bentonita no hidrogel poli(acrilamida) posteriormente hidrolisado com NaOH aumentou o grau de intumescimento de 1173 para 1270 g água g-1 gel. Sendo o acrilato obtido por hidrólise, a lavagem do hidrogel para remoção do excesso de hidróxido mostrou ser um contrassenso considerando o objetivo de economizar água. A constante de velocidade de intumescimento inicial e o tempo para atingir o equilíbrio assim como a capacidade de absorção de água (1058 g água g-1 gel) indicam o hidrogel composto do compósito poli(acrilamida-co-acrilato de potássio) contendo 10% de dolomita como material potencial para ser utilizado como condicionador de solo. O benefício esperado em termos do uso eficiente de água deverá contribuir para a sustentabilidade da água.

Superabsorbent hydrogels based on an acrylamide/acrylate composite with bentonite or dolomite were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The ideal proportion of acrylamide to acrylate was determined as 1:1. The presence of 10% (m/m) bentonite in the polyacrylamide hydrogel further hydrolyzed with NaOH increased the swelling degree from 1173 to 1270 g water g-1 gel. Being the acrylate obtained by hydrolysis, the hydrogel washing for removal of the alkali excess showed to be a drawback considering the goal of saving water. The initial swelling rate constant and the time required to reach the equilibrium as well as the water absorption capacity (1058 g water g-1 gel) indicate the hydrogel comprised of the poly(acrylamide-co-potassium acrylate) composite containing 10% dolomite as a potential material for use as a soil conditioner. The expected benefit in terms of the efficient use of water should contribute to the water sustainability.

Hydrogels have been prepared by free-radical solution copolymerization of acrylamide and sodium acrylate (NaAc), with molar ratio ranging from 25/75 to 80/20, respectively, using methylene bisacrylamide as the crosslinking agent. A FTIR spectroscopy procedure to determine the acrylate/acrylamide ratio in these hydrogels was proposed based on absorbance at 1410 cm-1 (nCOO-) and 2940 cm-1 (nCH and nCH2). A straight line with a good linear correlation coefficient (0.998) was obtained by plotting the acrylate content (Ac%) versus relative absorbance (Arel = A1410/A2940). Results were confirmed by the amount of sodium cation released in acid medium determined by atomic absorption spectrometry.