Preparation and Properties of Bio-Based Attapulgite Copolymer (BAC) Sand-Fixing Material

Abstract

Desertification, one of the world’s most pressing serious environmental problems, poses a serious threat to human survival as well as to social, economic, and political development. Nevertheless, the development of environmentally friendly sand-fixing materials is still a tremendous challenge for preventing desertification. This study developed a bio-based attapulgite copolymer (BAC) by grafting copolymerization of attapulgite, starch, sulfomethyl lignin, and biological mycelia. Water retention, anti-water erosion, and anti-wind erosion tests were conducted to assess the application performance of the BAC. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was then employed to determine the morphology of the attapulgite and attapulgite graft copolymer sand-fixing material (CSF). The intermolecular interactions in CSF were revealed using Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR). The role of sand-fixing materials on soil physicochemical properties and seed germination was then discussed based on the germination rate experiments, and 16S rDNA sequencing technology was used to analyze the differences in microbial communities in each sample group. The results demonstrated that the BAC not only has superior application properties and significantly increased seed germination (95%), but also promotes soil development by regulating the structure of the soil microbial community. This work provides novel insights into the design of sand-fixing material for preventing desertification while improving soil fertility.

Effect of Attapulgite Application on Aggregate Formation and Carbon and Nitrogen Content in Sandy Soil

“…Attapulgite soil is directly added to silty soil; because of its significant gelling characteristics, the dispersed particles can be heavy into larger particle aggregates, the average particle size of soil aggregates is increased, and the water holding performance is improved, which should have a good effect on the development of sandy soil structure, the improvement of water holding and fertilizer retention performance and the reduction of fertilizer nutrient leaching loss [24]. Wang prepared environmentally friendly composite superabsorbent sand fixing materials using the acid modification process from attapulgite soil, which improved the stability of dry aggregates in sandy soil [25]. Luo found that attapulgite slow-release fertilizer can effectively adsorb or distribute soil water and nutrients in the network structure, effectively reducing the leaching loss of water and nutrients [26].…”

Lignocellulosic full-components hydrogelation using steam-exploded corn stover

“…The performance of hydrogel products as sand fixers was investigated with reference to the method of Wang et al and Yuan et al 55,56 To enhance the dispersion of the hydrogel, we thoroughly mixed the hydrogel samples with nine times their mass in water and subjected them to pulverization. Subsequently, we prepared the specimens following the method described in the referenced literature for the initial test (Fig.…”

Silane-Modified Hyperbranched Polyurethane with High Strength, High Transparency, and Low Viscosity

“…Subsequently, condensation reactions between silanols result in a cross-linked network, thereby eliminating CO 2 emission during the moisture curing process. 18,19 Hyperbranched polymers, owing to their unique spherical and dendritic structures, exhibit low chain entanglement and reduced viscosity, facilitated by numerous functional groups at the chain ends. 20 This effectively compensates for the inherent high viscosity, propensity for gelation, and poor storage stability of polyurethane materials, while imparting enhanced toughness and strength to the adhesives.…”