Biochar Grafted on CMC-Terpolymer by Green Microwave Route for Sustainable Agriculture

Shimaa M. Elsaeed, E. G. Zaki, Tarek M. Ibrahim, Nasser Ibrahim Talha, Hosam A. Saad, Adil A. Gobouri, Amr Elkelish and Salah Mohamed El-Kousy
Additional contact information
Shimaa M. Elsaeed: Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, P.O. Box 11727, Cairo, Egypt
E. G. Zaki: Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, P.O. Box 11727, Cairo, Egypt
Tarek M. Ibrahim: Soil, Water and Environment Research Institute, ARC, P.O. Box 12411, Giza, Egypt
Nasser Ibrahim Talha: Soil, Water and Environment Research Institute, ARC, P.O. Box 12411, Giza, Egypt
Hosam A. Saad: Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Adil A. Gobouri: Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Amr Elkelish: Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University Ismailia, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
Salah Mohamed El-Kousy: Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Menofiya University, P.O. Box 32513, Shebine El-kom, Egypt

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: The deficiency of water sources and the environmental disposal of large amounts of biomass waste (orange peels) produces economic and environmental problems, though its conversion into biochar by a pyrolysis procedure might be used to improve soil productivity. In the current study, we investigated the performance of superabsorbent biochar composite grafted on CMC as a low-cost, alternative, and biodegradable terpolymer composite (IPNCB) for soil water retention capacity. The IPNCB composite was synthesized by both microwave and conventional routes. The optimal reaction parameters proved that the microwave route has a high grafting percentage (%G) and short reaction time compared to the conventional route. The superabsorbent composite was characterized using different methods: FTIR, TGA, and SEM. The results show that the equilibrium water swelling (EW) of the IPNCB composite was improved at a 2% biochar concentration. The incorporation of biochar (BC) into the polymer network improved the water holding capacity (WHC) to 57.6% and water retention (WR) to 9.1% after 30 days. The degradation test indicates the IPNCB composite has a good degradability rate. Mixing soil with the prepared IPNCB composite can improve plant growth and reduce water consumption through the irrigation of arid lands. The IPNCB composite is a candidate in sustainable agriculture applications.

Keywords: biochar; superabsorbent; swelling ratio and water retention; water holding capacity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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