Rheological Properties and Water-Retaining Power of Agar Hydrogels with Carboxymethyl Cellulose

Rheological properties of composite hydrogels of agar with carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt (NaCMC), intended for water conservation, were studied. The viscosity and yield stress of the hydrogels can both increase and decrease depending on the ratio of the polymer components in the hydrogel. Heating of the starting mixture for hydrogel preparation in the magnetic field influences the rheological properties of both agar and composite hydrogels. The stability of the hydrogels in storage and the syneresis depend on the NaCMC to agar ratio. The total water loss by the hydrogel samples in 1 year does not exceed 2 wt %. Introduction of NaCMC prevents syneresis in the course of the hydrogel freezing-thawing.