Abstract: A method for preparing a nanocomposite ion exchange hydrogel includes graft polymerizing a monomer onto a carbohydrate to form a carbohydrate graft copolymer. Before, during, or after graft polymerizing, an adsorbent is modified with a cationic surfactant to form a surfactant modified adsorbent. Next, the surfactant modified adsorbent is dispersed and entrapped in the carbohydrate graft copolymer and crosslinked to form a crosslinked carbohydrate graft copolymer. The crosslinked carbohydrate graft copolymer is then isolated.

Abstract: A method for preparing a nanocomposite ion exchange hydrogel and a nanocomposite ion exchange hydrogel are disclosed. A monomer is graft polymerized onto a carbohydrate to form a carbohydrate graft copolymer. Before, during, or after graft polymerizing, an adsorbent is modified with a cationic surfactant to form a surfactant modified adsorbent. Next, the surfactant modified adsorbent is dispersed and entrapped in the carbohydrate graft copolymer and crosslinked to form a crosslinked carbohydrate graft copolymer. The crosslinked carbohydrate graft copolymer is then isolated. In some embodiments, the pH of the crosslinked carbohydrate graft copolymer can be adjusted.

Abstract: The embodiments herein disclose a nano-composite superabsorbent polymer (NC-SAP) composition encapsulating fertilizer/plant nutrient products and a method of producing NC-SAP based products. According to one embodiment, the method involves graft polymerizing a monomer, other than acrylonitrile, onto a carbohydrate in the presence of an initiator to form a graft carbohydrate copolymer, dispersing an inorganic nano powder, adding fertilizer nutrient to the reaction mixture, cross-linking the carbohydrate graft copolymer by adding a cross-linking agent, such as methylene bis-acrylamide, adjusting the pH of the cross-linked nano-composite carbohydrate graft copolymer and isolating the nano-composite carbohydrate graft copolymer. The method also includes drying the nano-composite carbohydrate graft copolymer, to yield particles that are NC-SAP containing fertilizer.