Preparation and swelling performance of green algae polysaccharide-intelligent hydrogel

Dan Shi^a, Xiaoying Lv^b, Xing Zhang^c, Ni Xie^d, Shasha Xu^a, Hongyi Qian^a, Yalin Li^a,*

ABSTRACT: In recent years, the intensification of global climate change and the increased severity of water pollution have led to the explosive proliferation of microalgae, particularly Chlorophyta, significantly impacting the ecological environment. This study developed a novel adsorption hydrogel using extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) from green algae and acrylamide (AM) based on free-radical graft copolymerization technology, achieving the resource utilization of green algae. Using the swelling ratio (Sr) as the evaluation metric, the effects of the solid-to-liquid ratio, sodium persulfate (SPS), AM, N, N?-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA), and polymerization temperature on the hydrogel?s swelling properties were systematically investigated. The optimal preparation conditions for the EPS/AM hydrogel were determined using response surface methodology, and the composition, structure, and morphology of the hydrogel were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the Sr of the green algae polysaccharide-based hydrogel reached its maximum of 35,541.34% under the following conditions: a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:100, 0.1 g of SPS, 1.2 g of AM, 0.034 g of MBA, and a polymerization temperature of 80?C. This study provides an innovative paradigm for the high-value utilization of functional polysaccharides, opening new pathways for the large-scale application of environmentally sensitive hydrogel materials through a closed-loop transformation model of ?waste-to-functional materials?

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^a	School of College of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Henan University of Engineering, Zhengzhou 451191 China
^b	Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006 China
^c	School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068 China
^d	School of Information Science and Technology, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121 China

* Corresponding author, E-mail: li_ya_lin@haue.edu.cn

Received 8 Jun 2025, Accepted 22 Dec 2025

Preparation and swelling performance of green algae polysaccharide-intelligent hydrogel

Dan Shia, Xiaoying Lvb, Xing Zhangc, Ni Xied, Shasha Xua, Hongyi Qiana, Yalin Lia,*

Dan Shi^a, Xiaoying Lv^b, Xing Zhang^c, Ni Xie^d, Shasha Xu^a, Hongyi Qian^a, Yalin Li^a,*