Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrogels Derived from Cellulose of Water Hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) and Chitosan Using the Freeze Thaw Method

This study aims to determine the absorption and ability of hydrogels to hold water. The hydrogel was synthesized using the freeze-thaw method, then the absorption ability and water retention time in the hydrogel were tested and characterized by FTIR and trinocular stereo microscope. The FTIR results showed that the resulting hydrogel had N–H, O–H, aliphatic C–H, bend N–H, C–O, and C–N functional groups. The highest absorption of the hydrogel with a ratio of cellulose:chitosan:EDTA variations of 2:2.25:0.25 (g) respectively, which was 287.46% and the appearance of the hydrogel under a microscope showed that the structure of the hydrogel was rather hollow, so that it affected its absorption.