Superabsorbent polymer composites derived from polyacrylic acid: Design and synthesis, characterization, and swelling capacities

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were synthesized by aqueous solution polymerization of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/acrylic acid (AAc) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/AAc blend using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator. SAPs were synthesized by a facile method under mild conditions. A comparative study was done between CMC/AAc as a biodegradable superabsorbent and PVA/AAc copolymer. The effects of cross-linking, reaction time, temperature, and initiator molar ratio on water absorbency were studied herein. The highest swelling capacity was obtained for CMC/AAc biodegradable superabsorbent composite. The water absorption capacity of SAPs increased with increases in benzoyl peroxide content, immersion time, and reaction temperature of polymerization. The gel fraction of SAPs decreased with increases in the amounts of N, N′-methylenebisacrylamide as a cross-linker. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to examine the molecular interactions. The morphology and structure of superabsorbent composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy.