Water-conducting characteristics and micro-dynamic self-adjusting behavior of polyacrylamide/montmorillonite coating

Abstract

A water-conducting polyacrylamide/montmorillonite coating was prepared by solutionblending. The coating was coated on fiber and then composited with polymer to form a composite film material that used for water saving and tree planting in arid and desert regions. The coating’s water-conducting characteristics and dynamic self-adjusting behavior were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TG-DTA), and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM).The results showed that the coating’s water-conducting rate increased but water-retention capacity weakened with increasing montmorillonite content. The water-loss rate was positively related to temperature and negatively related to soil moisture. Water potential greatly influenced the water-conducting rate of the coating during its water conduction process. When the coating was at a low water potential, the montmorillonite particles interconnected and water was conducted quickly via montmorillonite layers, whereas when the coating was at a high potential, the montmorillonite particles disconnected and water was conducted slowly via the swelled polyacrylamide net structure. The rate can be regulated by changing the proportion of polyacrylamide and montmorillonite to guarantee a reasonable water supply for trees and make trees easier to survive. Thus, the survival rate of trees can be increased and the use of water resources can be significantly reduced.

Keywords

desertification / survival rate / water saving / composite material / water potential / coating

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