Аннотация:Natural polymers are of great interest as soil ameliorants capable of biodegradation at the end ofgrowing season. The synthesis of interpolyelectrolyte complex (IPEC) of anionic xanthan and cationic chitosanis described, and their physico-chemical, water-retaining, anti-erosion and biological properties arecompared with the properties of the individual xanthan. A combination of methods: gravimetric analysis,FTIR spectroscopy, electron microscopy, equilibrium centrifugation, mechanical strength assessment andcell-mediated hydrolysis allowed the following main results: (a) Addition of a xanthan aqueous solution to achitosan aqueous solution result in spherical capsules with a chitosan–xanthan IPEC shell and a xanthansolution inside. (b) Destruction of the capsules, washing with water and lyophilization yields the stoichiometricIPEC with a porous structure, stabilized by electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. (c) The swellingdegree of IPEC in water is 65 and decreases to 32 after mixing IPEC with sand. (d) Addition of IPEC andxanthan to sand increases the maximum water capacity from 27% up to 59–62% while a substantial part ofwater in the modified sand retains available to plants. (e) Application of IPEC and xanthan over sand leadsto the protective polymer-sand coatings, resistant to water erosion; the IPEC-sand coating provides only1.4 wt % sand loss versus 16 wt % sand loss for the xanthan-sand coating. (f) Field trails have shown that IPEChas a longer service life. (g) Soil microorganisms utilize xanthan and IPEC, with the former being consumedmuch faster than the latter. The obtained results indicate the potential of using biodegradable IPEC as a combinedeco-friendly soil ameliorant.DOI: 10.1134/S0965545X25600966
