Functional and Physicochemical Evaluation of Montmorillonite-Enhanced Hydrogels

Abstract

Sustainable management of soil and water resources is a critical challenge in modern agriculture, driven by escalating water scarcity and progressive soil degradation. Hydrogels have emerged as promising materials due to their exceptional water-retention capacity and ability to regulate nutrient release. However, their long-term performance and environmental interactions remain insufficiently understood, particularly under real soil conditions where degradation dynamics and ecological safety must be researched. This study aims to test a new formula for montmorillonite-enhanced hydrogels synthesized from sodium alginate, acrylic acid, and polyethylene oxide via electron beam irradiation for sustainable agricultural applications. The hydrogels were designed to improve soil moisture regulation while maintaining environmental compatibility. Long-term soil burial experiments (up to 300 days) revealed different biodegradation rates, with montmorillonite acting as a stabilizing yet degradable filler that delayed polymer disintegration and promoted gradual surface erosion. SEM and FTIR analyses confirmed progressive structural and chemical transformations associated with oxidation and hydrolysis. Ecotoxicity assays using Raphanus sativus and Cucumis sativus seeds showed Germination Index values above 80%, confirming the absence of phytotoxic effects from hydrogel degradation products under realistic soil conditions.

Keywords: Biodegradation, Ecotoxicity, Electron beam irradiation, Montmorillonite-enhanced hydrogels