Creating Superabsorbent Materials from Banana Fiber Waste

Jenn Hoskins
23rd August, 2024

Creating Superabsorbent Materials from Banana Fiber Waste

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco, and INRAE, France, developed superabsorbent materials from banana agricultural waste
  • The modified cellulose from banana waste showed a high water absorption capacity of up to 1240 g/g
  • These superabsorbent materials are reusable, maintaining their absorption capacity over multiple cycles
Banana agriculture generates significant by-products that often go to waste. A recent study by researchers at Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco, and INRAE, France, focuses on the valorization of these by-products by extracting and modifying cellulose to create superabsorbent materials with high water absorption capabilities[1]. This research aims to address the need for efficient and sustainable water-absorbing materials, which have applications in agriculture, hygiene products, and environmental cleanup. In this study, cellulose was extracted from banana agricultural waste and then oxidized using sodium periodate to yield cellulose dialdehyde (DAC). This oxidation process introduces aldehyde groups into the cellulose structure, enhancing its hydrophilicity and reducing its crystallinity. The modified cellulose was then incorporated into a mixture containing acrylic acid (AA) and itaconic acid (IA) to form composite hydrogels (SA-BP/SA-DAC) through radical chain polymerization. N,N-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) served as the cross-linking agent, and potassium persulfate (KPS) was used as the initiator. The resulting superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were characterized using several techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to confirm their chemical structure and morphology. Rheological analysis was also performed to assess the mechanical properties of the hydrogels. The absorption and re-swelling capacities of the SAPs were tested in both water and sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. The study found that the DAC-based hydrogels exhibited remarkable water absorption capacities, with the SA-DAC hydrogel achieving a maximum water absorption capacity of 1240±60 g/g when the DAC content was 5% by weight. This high absorption capacity is attributed to the low crystallinity and high polarity of the DAC, which enhances its ability to retain water. Additionally, the SAPs demonstrated good reusability, maintaining their absorption capacity over multiple cycles. This research builds on previous studies that explored the use of natural and waste-derived materials for creating functional hydrogels. For example, a study developed superabsorbent hydrogels by grafting acrylic acid and acrylamide onto pineapple peel carboxymethyl cellulose, demonstrating the effectiveness of using agricultural waste for such applications[2]. Similarly, another study utilized tailored poly(acrylic acid)-based hydrogels for ammonium removal from wastewater, highlighting the potential of hydrogels in environmental applications[3]. The current study by Cadi Ayyad University and INRAE expands on these findings by focusing on banana agricultural waste, a widely available and underutilized resource. By converting cellulose from banana waste into highly absorbent hydrogels, the researchers have provided a sustainable solution for managing agricultural waste while creating valuable materials with significant water absorption capabilities. In summary, this study showcases the potential of valorizing banana agricultural by-products to produce high-performance superabsorbent materials. The innovative approach of using cellulose dialdehyde as a key component in the hydrogel formulation not only enhances the material's water absorption capacity but also promotes the sustainable use of agricultural waste. This research could pave the way for further developments in the field of superabsorbent materials, with broad applications in agriculture, hygiene, and environmental management.

SustainabilityBiotechPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Preparation of superabsorbent composite(s) based on dialdehyde cellulose extracted from banana fiber waste.

Published 1st November, 2024 (future Journal edition)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122504

Related Studies

2) Enhanced Swelling and Responsive Properties of Pineapple Peel Carboxymethyl Cellulose-g-poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) Superabsorbent Hydrogel by the Introduction of Carclazyte.

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6b04899

3) Modified Poly(acrylic acid)-Based Hydrogels for Enhanced Mainstream Removal of Ammonium from Domestic Wastewater.

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b07032


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