Polymer Network Architecture of Single Network and Semi-Interpenetrating Network Hydrogels Modulates Water Retention and Degradation in Soil Conditioning Applications.

Berke Çalbaş, Fahed Albreiki, Zel Carey, Katharina Wang, Rachel Ford, Advaita Kamal Nair, Nhu Nguyen, Thaiesha A Wright

Abstract read

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Article in Chem & bio engineering, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it

0cells of the map it votes in

5citing papers in PubMed

–field-weighted citation impact

1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

HomologousMaterials today. Bio · 2026
Article
Study on the Green Extraction Process of Lignin and the Effect of its Synthesized Hydrogel Microspheres on Seed Germination.ACS omega · 2026
Article
Lactic Acid-Loaded Hydrogels for Post-Episiotomy Wound Healing: Microenvironment Engineering and Regenerative Strategies-A Narrative Review.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
Review
Structural, Swelling, and In Vitro Digestion Behavior of DEGDA-Crosslinked Semi-IPN Dextran/Inulin Hydrogels.Gels (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
Article
Design and Characterization of Gelatin-Based Interpenetrating Polymer Networks for Biomedical Use: Rheological, Thermal, and Physicochemical Evaluation.Materials (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
Article

4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Berke ÇalbaşDepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, United States.

Fahed AlbreikiDepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, United States.

Zel CareyDepartment of Chemistry, St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York 13617, United States.

Katharina WangDepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, United States.

Rachel FordDepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, United States.

Advaita Kamal NairDepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, United States.

Nhu NguyenDepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, United States.

Thaiesha A WrightDepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, United States.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7579-0698

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, agricultural systems must address challenges related to soil fertility, water retention, and sustainability. To address these issues, biobased hydrogels made from natural polymers, such as gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and chitosan (CS), have shown promise as sustainable soil conditioners. This study investigates GelMA/CS-based semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) hydrogels, evaluating their swelling capacity, water retention, mechanical properties, and degradation behavior compared to GelMA-only hydrogels. The results show that semi-IPNs with higher CS concentrations exhibit superior water retention and faster degradation rates, alongside enhanced mechanical strength. Scanning electron microscopy reveals smaller, uniform pores in semi-IPNs, contributing to improved water retention. These findings suggest that GelMA/CS semi-IPNs are promising, biodegradable alternatives for enhancing soil moisture retention, soil fertility, and environmental sustainability in agriculture.

Indexed as

BiodegradableHydrogel networksMicrostructureSoil degradationSustainable agricultureSwelling capacityWater retention

Identifiers

PMID40735012

DOI10.1021/cbe.5c00029

PMCPMC12301938

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.