Alkaline-Enhanced Poly(Acrylic Acid)/Sodium Alginate/PEO Hydrogels: Structural Modifications and Functional Properties for Agriculture
Elena Manaila, Gabriela Craciun, Maria Mihaela Manea, Marius Dumitru · 2026
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Description
Elena Manaila, Gabriela Craciun, Maria Mihaela Manea, and Marius Dumitru wrote this 2026 paper on water-holding gels for farming. Their hydrogels blend acrylic acid, sodium alginate, and polyethylene oxide, formed by an electron beam. A soak in alkali then changes how the gel behaves.
Two strengths of sodium hydroxide were tested. The team measured how the treatment shifts breakdown rate, water uptake, and how long the gel keeps water before drying. Infrared scans confirmed chemical changes in the gel's acid groups, and microscope images showed rougher surfaces with bigger pores that drink in water faster. Heat tests showed the treated gels hold up better. Such gels could help soils in dry fields keep moisture near roots, a cheap aid where irrigation is scarce.
Catalog record
| CREATOR | Elena Manaila, Gabriela Craciun, Maria Mihaela Manea, Marius Dumitru |
|---|---|
| YEAR | 2026 |
| COLLECTION | PAPERS |
| FORMAT | TXT |
| FILE SIZE | 71 KB |
| VERSION | 1.0 |
| LICENSE | CC BY 4.0 |
| RIGHTS | CC BY |
| SOURCE | Europe PMC |