Polyvinyl alcohol based hydrogels for urea release and Fe(III) uptake from soil medium

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) based biocompatible, non-toxic and environmentally benign polymeric hydrogels were synthesized by cross-linking with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and sodium sulfate. Further modification was carried out with incorporation of urea into the hydrogel at the time of synthesis. The prepared gels were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption desorption isotherms and swelling. Prediction of the possibility of using these hydrogel beads in agriculture fields is the main objective of this work. In this particular article, the release of urea from urea extracted and urea incorporated beads in the soil medium was studied along with inspection of Fe(III) uptake from the same soil sample. The gel matrices were found as potential candidates for slow release of urea and high sorption of Fe(III) from soil sample. Thus the problem of frequent application of urea containing fertilizer to the agricultural field can be overcome and at the same time the trouble for high concentration of Fe(III) in the soil can also be diminished.