Crosslinked Sulfur Polymer Hydrogels for Soil Sulfur Availability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The supply of sulfur by-products greatly outstrips demand, and existing methods for restoring sulfur content to depleted soil have poor sulfur availability, necessitating a low-cost sulfur formulation for effective delivery to the soil ecosystem.
Innovation Solution
Development of sulfur polymers comprising polysulfide chains, aliphatic groups, and stabilizing groups, synthesized through a method involving heating a mixture of polysulfides, crosslinking agents, diallyl sulfide, and stabilizing agents, with optional porogens to enhance porosity, resulting in hydrogels capable of absorbing significant amounts of water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If sulfur by-products are used as fertilizers, then sulfur can be delivered to soil, but sulfur availability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical form of sulfur from elemental sulfur to polysulfide polymers with specific molecular structures (containing sulfur-sulfur bonds and functional groups). This parameter change in chemical form improves sulfur availability while maintaining delivery capability, as the polymer structure allows controlled release and better soil interaction compared to conventional elemental sulfur formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite sulfur polymers combining polysulfide chains with functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine, or carbonyl groups) and crosslinking agents. This composite structure enhances sulfur availability by improving solubility, soil retention, and microbial accessibility, while maintaining effective sulfur delivery to the soil ecosystem.
2Reliability
If sulfur is delivered to soil, then soil fertility is enhanced, but sulfur supply greatly outstrips demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating sulfur polymers with specific functional groups and molecular structures tailored for soil interaction. The polysulfide chains with embedded functional groups provide localized chemical activity that enhances sulfur availability and soil fertility, allowing more effective utilization of sulfur per unit mass, thereby addressing the supply-demand imbalance.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing sulfur from elemental form to polymerized forms with specific molecular weights and functional group compositions, the invention improves sulfur utilization efficiency. This parameter change allows the same sulfur quantity to have greater impact on soil fertility, effectively matching supply with demand through improved biotic availability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sulfur polymers effectively deliver sulfur to soil, enhancing soil fertility and supporting microbial activity, with hydrogels demonstrating high water absorption and structural integrity, facilitating efficient soil remediation and nutrient replenishment.
Implementation Method 1
a polysulfide chain, an aliphatic group, and a stabilizing group... heating a mixture comprising polysulfides, a crosslinking agent, a diallyl sulfide, a stabilizing agent, and an aliphatic group
Implementation Method 2
heating a mixture comprising polysulfides, a crosslinking agent... resulting in hydrogels capable of absorbing significant amounts of water
Implementation Method 3
hydrogels capable of absorbing significant amounts of water... hydrogels demonstrating high water absorption
Implementation Method 4
hydrogels capable of absorbing significant amounts of water
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is generally directed to sulfur polymers and their method of formation. In embodiments of the present disclosure, a sulfur polymer comprising a polysulfide chain, an aliphatic group and a stabilizing group are described. In embodiments, a method for forming a sulfur polymer is described, the method comprising: heating a mixture comprising polysulfides, a crosslinking agent, a diallyl sulfide, a stabilizing agent and an aliphatic group.