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Chitosan, cellulose nanocrystals, and halloysite nanotubes in the presence of calcium cations were used to fabricate a three-dimensional nanocomposite scaffold. The FTIR and XRD analyses revealed that formation of the network and incorporation of halloysite nanotubes into it were successful. FESEM images showed that the addition of higher amounts of halloysite nanotubes into the scaffold's matrix leads to more and smaller pores. The addition of halloysite nanotubes enhanced the thermal stability, mechanical characteristics, water uptake, and degradation rate of the nanocomposite scaffold. The nanocomposite scaffold represented good biomineralization, great cell proliferation, and acceptable cell attachment. Furthermore, the capability of the nanocomposite scaffold for curcumin delivery was approved through cell proliferation, cumulative release, and antibacterial studies. Cell proliferation of the nanocomposite with 10 wt% curcumin-loaded halloysite nanotubes reached around 175% after 72 h. Considering the results, the prepared nanocomposite scaffold holds great potential for being used in bone tissue engineering applications.

Semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) of starch-graft-poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)/polyvinyl alcohol/clinoptilolite (starch-g-p(AA-co-AAm)/PVA/clino) superabsorbent nanocomposite was synthesized by free-radical graft co-polymerization technique in an aqueous solution. Taguchi method was used to optimize the synthesis reaction condition based on the equilibrium swelling capacity of the hydrogels. FTIR, XRD, and SEM analyses were used to study the chemical and structural properties of the hydrogel samples. The equilibrium swelling capacity of the semi-IPN superabsorbent nanocomposite (364.82 g/g) was higher than that of neat hydrogel (286.21 g/g) and in both of them water penetration into hydrogel network occurred through non-Fickian diffusion mechanism. Incorporation of clino into the polymeric matrix not only increased the equilibrium swelling capacity of the hydrogel, but also induced a substantial enhancement in its mechanical strength. Semi-IPN superabsorbent nanocomposite showed reasonable water absorbency under different loads, good salt and pH-sensitive swelling behavior, and better water retention capability, which make it potentially useful for hygiene products.

Semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) superabsorbent nanocomposite based on montmorillonite (MMT) and sodium alginate (NaAlg)-g-poly(acrylic acid(AA))/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was synthesized. Chemical structure and surface morphology of the hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, XRD, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), SEM, and TEM techniques. FTIR results revealed that graft polymerization, PVP interpenetration through hydrogel network, and nanocomposite formation have occurred. The coarse surface of the hydrogels was changed into interlinked porous structures in the presence of MMT. The effect of polymerization variables on water absorbency of the hydrogels was assessed and optimized. Semi-IPN superabsorbent nanocomposite presented higher equilibrium swelling capacity (618.92 g/g) compared with neat hydrogel (521.17 g/g). Swelling behavior of the hydrogels strongly depended on pH values of the solution as well as the type and concentration of saline solution. Semi-IPN superabsorbent nanocomposite possessed good reswelling capability, making it as an efficient water reservoir to supply required water to plants in agricultural applications.

A novel slow released NPK fertilizer encapsulated by superabsorbent nanocomposite was prepared via in-situ free radical polymerization of sodium alginate, acrylic acid, acrylamide, and montmorillonite in the presence of fertilizer compounds. Evidence of grafting and component interactions, superabsorbent nanocomposite structure and morphology was obtained by a FT-IR, XRD and SEM techniques. The water absorbency behavior of superabsorbent nanocomposite was investigated. After those characterizations, the potential application was verified through the study of fertilizer release from prepared formulations. Results indicated that the presence of the montmorillonite caused the system to liberate the nutrient in a more controlled manner than that with the neat superabsorbent. The good slow release fertilizer property as well as good water retention capacity showed that this formulation is potentially viable for application in agriculture as a fertilizer carrier vehicle.

The sodium alginate-g-poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)/rice husk ash (NaAlg-g-P(AA-co-AAm)/RHA) superabsorbent nanocomposite was synthesized by the free-radical graft copolymerization of alginate (NaAlg), acrylic acid (AA), acrylamide (AAm), and RHA in aqueous solution. FTIR spectra revealed that the monomers were grafted onto NaAlg chains, and the nanocomposite was formed successfully. Incorporation of RHA into hydrogel matrix formed porous interlinked channels within hydrogel network. Superabsorbent nanocomposite showed greater equilibrium swelling capacity (1070g/g) compared with neat hydrogel (830g/g). Moreover, water transport mechanism of all hydrogels was non-Fickian diffusion type. Rheological measurements confirmed effective role of RHA in improving gel strength of superabsorbent nanocomposite. The influence of various factors, such as different loads (0.3, 0.6, 0.9 psi), solution pH, saline solution, and temperature on the swelling behavior of hydrogels was also assessed. Superabsorbent nanocomposite exhibited good pH-dependent swelling reversibility and high water retention capability, making it more efficient water-saving material for agricultural and horticultural applications.