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This manuscript details the preparation and characterization of a renewable biocomposite material intended as a soil conditioner based on low-molecular-weight poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and residual biomass (wheat straw and wood sawdust). The swelling properties and biodegradability of the PLA-lignocellulose composite under environmental conditions were evaluated as indicators of its potential for applications in soil. Its mechanical and structural properties were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that the incorporation of lignocellulose waste material into PLA increased the swelling ratio of the biocomposite by up to 300%. The application of the biocomposite of 2 wt% in soil enhanced its capacity for water retention by 10%. In addition, the cross-linked structure of the material proved to be capable of swelling and deswelling repeatedly, indicating its good reusability. Incorporating lignocellulose waste in the PLA enhanced its stability in the soil environment. After 50 days of the experiment, almost 50% of the sample had degraded in the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes the preparation of a novel biopolymer hydrogel based on acid whey, cellulose derivatives and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The hydrogel was prepared and characterized with the aim of producing an environmentally-friendly soil amendment to increase water retention capacity of the soil. The findings showed considerable swelling properties of the hydrogels depending on the PVA content and crosslinking density. The samples with PVA in a concentration 2.5 % and 5 % were more rigid, the gel fraction increased with a subsequently decrease in their swelling capacity. The hydrogels crosslinked with 15 % of citric acid demonstrated a constant swelling ratio (SR) of around 500 % within 10 swelling/drying cycles. The hydrogels crosslinked with 10 % citric acid and supplemented with 1 % of PVA showed SR of 1000–1400 % caused by less crosslinked polymer network and increased pore volume for water uptake. It was found that hydrogel with a higher gel fraction had a stable structure. Supplementing PVA at 5 % extended the period of decomposition of the hydrogel material by almost 60 % in the soil environment and soil humidity was maintained for longer. Applying 2 % of the hydrogel 5PVA to soil increased the water retention capacity by 19 %. • An environmentally-friendly soil conditioner was prepared for sustainable agricultural applications. • The effect of polyvinyl alcohol on the swelling properties and biodegradability of the hydrogels was evaluated. • Addition of 5 % PVA extended the period of biodegradation of the hydrogel in soil by almost 60 %. • The results show the potential of acid whey to be a source of nutritive whey agents for plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]