Enhancement of Hydrogel with DBD Plasma Treatment for Innovative Agriculture

With the capability to retain water and increase nutrient availability in agricultural soil, hydrogels have become a cutting-edge substance that is advantageous for sustainable farming. These hydrogels, made of a network of cross-linked polymers, can absorb and hold a significant amount of water, giving plants a consistent supply of moisture when there is a drought [1], [2]. A possible advancement in agricultural applications could be the incorporation of hydrogel materials and cold plasma technology, with the aim of enhancing soil water absorption and retention. This study explores the influence of cold plasma treatment on the physicochemical characteristics of hydrogels and their subsequent performance in agricultural applications. A DBD plasma-based two-roller conveyor reactor was designed and developed to generate atmospheric cold-pressure (ACP) plasma. An optical emission spectroscopy was employed to distinguish several species generated by ACP plasma in the atmosphere. Hydrogels were placed onto the roller for activation, followed by post-plasma treatment analysis. Experimental results indicated a significant increase in the water uptake of plasma-treated hydrogels compared to untreated counterparts, attributing to the increased surface roughness and the changes in functional groups, which result in more cross-linking within the hydrogels and facilitate water interaction. The hydrogel was characterised by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) to investigate the surface morphology and molecular interactions. Hydrogel has improved its ability to retain water and has maintained its structural integrity, and also found to have antibacterial characteristics. Because of this, they can help prevent drought, enhance soil quality, and regulate the release of nutrients. ACP plasma is a promising technique that can improve agricultural sustainability and efficiency, but attaining these improvements without sacrificing the hydrogel's integrity requires optimizing plasma treatment conditions.