The Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Science – University of Mosul, on Sunday, August 30, 2026, discussed the tagged doctoral thesis: “Studies on Water Retention Capabilities and Controlled Release Behavior of Agrochemicals Using Hydrogels for Agricultural Development” The study submitted by student Akram Waad Nayef aimed at preparing and developing a number of hydrogels using synthesis and grafting techniques for various polymers, with the aim of improving their properties and increasing their effectiveness in loading agricultural materials and controlling their release, as well as enhancing their ability to absorb and retain water. The study included the preparation of twelve hydrogels, some of which were entangled using chemical entanglement agents, others using physical entanglement, while a group of them were left without entanglement, to study the effect of the nature of entanglement in their properties and performance. A group of hydrogels was used for loading agricultural fertilizers, in particular potassium nitrate (KNO3) and urea (Urea), studying the behavior of their release in different pH mediums pH 4, Ph 7 and PH 9.the results also showed a difference in swelling degrees with different temperatures. Four types of hydrogels were loaded with water and used in experiments aimed at enhancing soil water retention after drought, through the mechanism of self-irrigation with water stored inside the hydrogel, and the results proved their ability to release sufficient amounts of water for longer periods compared to the reference model, enhancing their potential in sustainable irrigation applications and rationalizing water use. The prepared hydrogels were diagnosed using FT-IR, Xrd, FESEM, weds, TGA and DSC techniques, to determine their chemical and crystal structure, thermal stability, surface properties, specific area, pore size and elemental components. The discussion Committee was chaired by Prof. Dr. Asaad Faisal Khattab Omran, with the membership of Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahman basil Fadel Amin, Prof. Dr. qaidar Salem jerjis Abdullah, Assistant Prof. Dr. Lubna Abdul Aziz Saleh Salim, Assistant Prof. Dr. Huda Abdul Razzaq Younis Mahmoud, and under the supervision and membership of the experienced Prof. Dr. Fawzi Habib Gabriel Ibrahim. At the end of the discussion, the committee praised the scientific effort exerted and the importance of the study and its direct applications in the agricultural and industrial fields, especially in rationalizing water use and controlling the release of agricultural fertilizers. On behalf of the dean of the Faculty of science, professor Dr. Hiam Adel Ibrahim, the head of the Department of chemistry, assistant professor Dr. Firas Ahmed Thanoun, presented a letter of thanks and appreciation to assistant professor Dr. Huda Abdul Razzaq Younis Mahmoud, in appreciation of her scientific efforts and participation in the dissertation discussion Committee, and in appreciation of her giving and contributions to the service of the scientific and academic career. We wish our dear students continued success and success.

Government information and Communication Division

Sunday 30 August 2026