Cryogels based on gel-forming compositions and polymer mixtures
M. S. FUFAEVA, M. D. SAVARI-ZAVIE, A. G. SHCHERBAKOVA
Institute of Petroleum Chemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
Keywords: polyvinyl alcohol, cryogel, gelation, viscosity, elastic modulus, coal, reclamation
Abstract
An integrated method of mining quarry reclamation and landscaping is presented. The essence of the method is in making a protective layer of gel-forming composition, based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and IKhN-PRO composition, including borax, on the surface of solid toxic rock. A fertile ground containing plant seeds is applied onto the surface of the protective layer; its surface is treated with a solution of PVA mixture and carboxymethylated starch (CMS). After the freezing-thawing cycle, soil-structuring cryogel is formed, which retains moisture, heat and makes comfortable conditions for plants. The rheological properties of the gel-forming composition were investigated; the time of gel formation at a temperature of 20 and 10 °C was determined to be 200 and 150 seconds, respectively. The rheological characteristics of the solutions of PVA and CMS mixture were studied. It is shown that with an increase in the polymer concentration in the mixture the viscosity increases. Dry films obtained on the basis of a mixture of PVA, CMS and cryogels swell in water. Phytotoxicity of the method was studied for coal samples. The biometric data of plants have shown that the productivity of plant biocenosis in experimental samples is much higher than in control samples.
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