Preparation of starch‐graft‐poly(acrylamide)/attapulgite superabsorbent composite

A novel starch‐graft‐poly(acrylamide)/attapulgite superabsorbent composite was synthesized by graft copolymerization reaction of starch, acrylamide (AM), and attapulgite micropowder using N.N‐methylene‐bisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and ammonium persulphate (APS) as an initiator in aqueous solution, followed by hydrolysis with sodium hydroxide. The effects on water absorbency, such as amount of crosslinker, initiator, attapulgite, weight ratio of acrylamide to starch in the feed, gelatinization conditions of starch and molar ratio of NaOH to acrylamide, and so forth, were investigated. These superabsorbent composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The water absorbencies for these superabsorbent composites in water and saline solution were investigated, and water retention tests were carried out. Results obtained from this study showed that the water absorbency of superabsorbent composite synthesized under optimal synthesis conditions with an attapulgite content of 10% exhibit absorption of 1317 g H₂O/g sample and 68 g H₂O/g sample in distilled water and in 0.9 wt % NaCl solution, respectively. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 1351–1357, 2005     

Study on superabsorbent composites. XVIII. Preparation,characterization, and property evaluation of poly(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide)/organomontmorillonite/sodium humate superabsorbent composites

A series of novel multifunctional poly (acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide) (PAA‐AM)/organomontmorillonite (O‐MMT)/sodium humate (SH) superabsorbent composites were synthesized by the graft copolymerization reaction of partially neutralized acrylic acid and acrylamide on O‐MMT micropowder and SH with N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate as an initiator in an aqueous solution. The superabsorbent composites were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of the relative weight ratio of SH to O‐MMT on the water absorbency was studied, and the results indicated that the best water absorbency of 591 g/g in distilled water was obtained when an O‐MMT content of 20 wt % and an SH content of 30 wt % were incorporated. The superabsorbent composite possessed a good capacity for water retention; even after 30 days, 24.4 wt % of water could still be saved by the sand soil containing 1.0 wt % superabsorbent composite. The results from this study show that the water absorbency of a superabsorbent composite is improved by the simultaneous introduction of O‐MMT and SH into a PAA‐AM network in comparison with the incorporation of only O‐MMT or SH. Also, in comparison with PAA‐AM/MMT/SH, an appropriate amount of O‐MMT can benefit the developed composites with respect to their water absorbency, salt resistance, and capacity for water retention in sand soil. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Synthesis and properties of carboxymethyl cellulose‐graft‐poly(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide) as a novel cellulose‐based superabsorbent

A new cellulose‐based superabsorbent polymer, carboxymethyl cellulose‐graft‐poly(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide), was prepared by the free‐radical grafting solution polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM) monomers onto carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in the presence of N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker with a redox couple of potassium persulfate and sodium metabisulfite as an initiator. The influences of reaction variables such as the initiator content, crosslinker content, bath temperature, molar ratio of AA to AM, and weight ratio of the monomers to CMC on the water absorbency of the carboxymethylcellulose‐graft‐poly(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide) copolymer were investigated. The copolymer's structures were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The optimum reaction conditions were obtained as follows: the bath temperature was 50°C; the molar ratio of AA to AM was 3 : 1; the mass ratio of the monomers to CMC was 4 : 1; and the weight percentages of the crosslinker and initiator with respect to the monomers were 0.75 and 1%, respectively. The maximum water absorbency of the optimized product was 920 g/g for distilled water and 85 g/g for a 0.9 wt % aqueous NaCl solution. In addition, the superabsorbent possessed good water retention and salt resistance. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1382–1388, 2007     

Studies on poly(acrylic acid)/attapulgite superabsorbent composite. I. Synthesis and characterization

A novel poly(acrylic acid)/attapulgite superabsorbent composite was synthesized by graft copolymerization reaction of acrylic acid (AA) on attapulgite micropowder using N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator in aqueous solution. The effects on water absorbency of such factors as reaction temperature, initial monomer concentration, degree of neutralization of AA, amount of crosslinker, initiator, and attapulgite were investigated. These crosslinked superabsorbent composites were characterized by thermogravimetetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The graft copolymerization reaction of AA on attapulgite micropowder was characterized by FTIR. The water absorbencies for these superabsorbent composites in water and saline solutions were investigated and water‐retention tests were carried out. Results obtained from this study show that the water absorbency of the superabsorbent composite synthesized under optimal synthesis conditions with an attapulgite content of 10% exhibited an absorption of 1017 g H₂O/g sample and 77 g H₂O/g sample in distilled water and in 0.9 wt % NaCl solution, respectively. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1596–1603, 2004     

Synthesis and properties of starch-graft-acrylic acid/Na-montmorillonite superabsorbent nanocomposite hydrogels

The graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) onto starch was carried out with monomer/starch weight ratio = 1.5. Cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN) and N,N′-methylenebis acrylamide (NMBA) were used as initiator and crosslink agent, respectively. Na-montmorillonite was used as nanoparticles. Starch-graft-acrylic acid/Na-MMT (S-g-AA/MMT) nanocomposite hydrogels were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FTIR analysis. The effect of Na-MMT content in nanocomposite hydrogels on the swelling behavior was investigated. Increasing the Na-MMT/monomers ratio up to 1% causes an increment in water absorbency, which indicates that Na-MMT can improve the ability of water absorbency but further increase of Na-MMT causes a decrease in water absorbency. In addition, we describe the removal of safranine T from aqueous solutions using S-g-AA/MMT nanocomposite hydrogels. Effects of various parameters such as treatment time, initial dye concentration, and amount of the Na-MMT were investigated. The Freundlich equations were used to fit the equilibrium isotherms. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation of acrylic acid and AMPS cointercalated layered double hydroxide and its application for superabsorbent

This article reports the cointercalation of acrylic acid (AA) and 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) in the interlayer region of Mg₂Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) and the application of this inorganic–organic composite material in the field of water superabsorbent. The monomers of AA and AMPS were cointercalated into galleries of Mg₂Al−LDH (denoted as AA−AMPS/LDH) with various molar ratios by ion‐exchange method, which was confirmed by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and elemental analysis. The polymer‐based superabsorbent was prepared through in situ free‐radical aqueous copolymerization of AA and AMPS, with AA−AMPS/LDH as additive, N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (NMBA) as crosslinker and potassium persulfate (KPS) as initiator. The composition of this poly(AA‐co‐AMPS)/LDH was demonstrated as a good water superabsorbent. The LDH content, water absorbency, thermal stability, and swelling rate of this superabsorbent were also investigated in detail. Results showed that the incorporation of a 5 wt % AA−AMPS/LDH into polymer matrix increased its water absorbency significantly by 27.7% (in water) and by 51.5% (in 0.9 wt % NaCl solution). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Synthesis of poly(acrylic acid)/sodium humate superabsorbent composite for agricultural use

A novel poly (acrylic acid)/sodium humate superabsorbent composite was synthesized by graft copolymerization reaction of acrylic acid (AA) on sodium humate micropowder using N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and potassium peroxydisulfate (KPS) as an initiator in aqueous solution. The effects on water absorbency of factors such as reaction temperature, initial monomer concentration, and degree of neutralization of AA, amount of crosslinker, initiator, and sodium humate were investigated. The superabsorbent composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and the graft copolymerization reaction of AA on sodium humate micropowder was characterized by IR spectroscopy. Results obtained from this study show that the water absorbency of the superabsorbent composite synthesized under optimal conditions for synthesis with a sodium humate content of 5.3% exhibited absorption of 684 g H₂O/g sample in distilled water. Water‐retention in soil is enhanced by the use of the superabsorbent composite. The effect of superabsorbent composite on the growth of corn is reported. The superabsorbent composite may be of use as water management materials for agriculture purposes in desert and drought‐prone areas. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 5137–5143, 2006     

Preparation of a starch‐graft‐acrylamide/kaolinite superabsorbent composite and the influence of the hydrophilic group on its water absorbency

A novel starch‐graft‐acrylamide/kaolinite superabsorbent composite with water absorbency 4000 times (g ) was synthesized by a graft copolymerization reaction among acrylamide, potato starch and kaolinite ultrafine powder, followed by saponification with NaOH. The influence of the hydrophilic group on water absorbency was investigated. It was found that the combined absorbent effect of —CONH₂, —COONa and —COOH groups was superior to that of a single group, and the composite with the molar ratio of 8:6:3 for the —CONH₂, —COONa and —COOH groups exhibits the highest water‐absorbent ability. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

耐盐型丙烯酸-丙烯酰胺接枝共聚高吸水树脂的合成及其性能研究

采用溶液聚合法,以丙烯酸(AA)和丙烯酰胺(AM)为单体,N,N＇-亚甲基双丙烯酰胺(NMBA)为交联剂,过硫酸钾(KPS)为引发剂.合成出丙烯酸-丙烯酰胺接枝共聚高吸水树脂.探讨了单体比[m(丙烯酸):m(丙烯酰胺)]、交联剂和引发荆用量、单体中和度及聚合温度对树脂吸水率的影响.IR光谱表明,丙烯酸和丙烯酰胺发生了接...     

Waste polystyrene foam‐graft‐acrylic acid/montmorillonite superabsorbent nanocomposite

A novel superabsorbent nanocomposite based on partially neutralized acrylic acid, waste polystyrene foam, and sodium type montmorillonite (Na‐MMT) powder was synthesized through emulsion polymerization using N, N′‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker, 2,2′‐azo‐bisiso‐butyronitrile, ammonium persulfate, and sodium sulfite as mixed redox initiators. The effects of such factors as amount of Na‐MMT, crosslinker, initiator, and neutralization degree on water absorbency of the superabsorbent were investigated. The composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscope, X‐ray diffraction, thermo gravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscope. The results show that acrylic acid monomer successfully grafted onto the polystyrene chain, the layers of Na‐MMT were exfoliated and dispersed in the composite at nano size after copolymerization. The introduction of waste polystyrene foam in the composite increased the water absorbency rate. The addition of Na‐MMT not only enhanced the thermal stability of the composites but also increased its water absorbency, and the optimal water absorbencies of distilled water and saline water (w_NaCl = 0.9%) of the nanocomposites were more than 1180 g H₂O/g and 72.6 g H₂O/g, respectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 2341–2349, 2007     

PVA/PAA-AM共混高吸水纤维的微观结构与吸液能力

丙烯酸(AA)、丙烯酰胺(AM)为单体,在聚乙烯醇(PVA)溶液中共聚,由聚合物溶液纺丝制备高吸水纤维。用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)观察了纤维微观结构,结果表明,高吸水纤维具有微相分离结构,纤维表面形貌和横截面形状随纤维组成变化。从吸水溶胀后经液氮冷阱干燥的纤维干凝胶的SEM照片,可以观察到纤维内部存在原纤间交联网络和大量各向异性分布的长形孔洞,证实纤维具有三维网络结构并且吸收过大量的水。随AM加入量的增加,纤维的吸液能力先上升后下降, w〔AM/(AA+AM+PVA)〕=3%时,纤维吸蒸馏水倍率为 243,吸ρ(NaCl) =9g/L的盐水溶液倍率为 58。研究表明,较多的AM会导致共混结构不相容性增加,吸水能力下降。     

Preparation of superabsorbent based on the graft copolymerization of acrylic acid and acrylamide onto konjac glucomannan and its application in the water retention in soils

A new konjac glucomannan (KGM)-based superabsorbent polymer, KGM-g-poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide), was prepared by the free radical grafting solution polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM) monomers onto KGM in the presence of N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker with potassium persulfate as an initiator. The effects of reaction parameters, including the amount of crosslinking agent and initiator, the weight ratio of both (AA + AM) to KGM and AM to (AA + AM), neutralization degree of AA, bath temperature, and reaction time, on the water absorbency of the superabsorbent were investigated. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize the structures of the copolymer. The maximum water absorbency of the optimized product was 650 g/g for distilled water and 70 g/g for a 0.9 wt % aqueous NaCl solution. Furthermore, the water retention of the copolymer in soils was studied. The effect of the copolymers on the aggregate distribution of soils was also evaluated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Synthesis and characterization of super‐absorbent hydrogels based on hemicellulose

A kind of novel hemicellulose‐based hydrogel with excellent water absorbency was synthesized by the graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA), acrylic amide (AM) with hemicellulose. The various factors that influenced the water absorbency of the modified hemicellulose were studied, including AA content, hemicellulose content, neutralization degree of AA, and weight ratio (to monomer) of cross‐linker and initiator. The optimal conditions were found as follows: m(AA) : m(AM) : m(hemicellulose) = 15 : 3.5 : 1, the neutralization degree of AA was 75%, and weight ratio (to monomers) of the cross‐linker and the initiator was 0.03% and 1.0%, respectively. The maximum absorbencies toward distilled water and 0.9 wt % NaCl solution were 1128 g/g and 132 g/g, respectively. The characteristics of the hydrogels were also investigated by Fourier Transform InfraRed (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and atomic force microscope (AFM). The results indicated that the undulant surface and broad network structure offer the hydrogels excellent water absorbency. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42441.     

Design and synthesis of superabsorbent polymers

A series of novel copolymer superabsorbents based on the monomers acrylamide (AM), acrylic acid (AA), acrylonitrile, methacrylic acid, sodium acrylate (SA), and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were prepared by copolymerization using ammonium persulfate as an initiator and N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinking agent. The experimental results of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) show that the absorbency in water and NaCl solutions is maximum for AM, SA, HEMA and AM, AA, SA combinations. The copolymers were characterized by IR spectroscopy. The water retention of soil was also enhanced using the above superabsorbents. Use of SAPs for the growth of the croton plant was also investigated. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2635–2639, 2001     

Utilization of waste polystyrene and starch for superabsorbent composite preparation

A superabsorbent composed of waste polystyrene, starch, and acrylic acid was prepared through emulsion polymerization. The effects of major factors such as starch, acrylic acid, initiator, crosslinker, and bentonite contents and the neutralization degree of acrylic acid on water absorbency were investigated to obtain optimum conditions with high swelling capacity. The superabsorbent hydrogel was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The FTIR results confirmed that the grafting polymerization took place among the polystyrene, acrylic acid, starch, and bentonite. The introduction of bentonite particles into the polystyrene‐g‐poly (acrylic acid)‐co‐starch system could increase the water absorbency. The superabsorbent composite containing 3 wt % bentonite had the highest water absorbency (500 g/g in distilled water and 49 g/g in 0.9 wt % NaCl solution). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

玉米秸秆接枝丙烯酸-丙烯酰胺树脂的制备与吸水性能

以醚化预处理玉米秸秆(PTCS)为基体,丙烯酸(AA)和丙烯酰胺(AM)为单体,过硫酸钾为引发剂,N,N'-亚甲基双丙烯酰胺(MBA)为交联剂,采用水溶液聚合法制备PTCS接枝AA、AM共聚物[PTCS-g-P(AA-co-AM)]。研究了合成条件对树脂吸水率的影响,考察了树脂重复吸水和保水性能,并用红外光谱(FTIR)、电子扫描电镜(SEM)表征了产物的结构和形貌。结果表明,在m(PTCS):m(AA):m(AM)= 1:5:2,丙烯酸中和度为70%,K₂S₂O₈为0.6%,MBA为0.2%,60℃反应3h条件下,制备高吸水性树脂的吸水率最大,对蒸馏水和0.9% NaCl水溶液的吸水率分别为144.04g/g、30.60g/g,且重复吸水和保水性能良好。     

Study on superabsorbent composite. XX. Effects of cation‐exchanged montmorillonite on swelling properties of superabsorbent composite containing sodium humate

In this work, the effects of different cation‐exchanged montmorillonite on water absorbency of poly(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide)/montmorillonite/sodium humate (PAA‐AM/MMT/SH) superabsorbent composite were systematically investigated under the same preparation conditions. The superabsorbents doped with different cation‐exchanged montmorillonite were characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy technologies. Swelling behaviors of developing superabsorbent composite in various cationic saline solutions (NaCl, CaCl₂, and FeCl₃) were also investigated. The water absorbencies of superabsorbent composite with 20 wt% MMT and 30 wt% SH are 638, 723, 682, and 363 g g⁻¹ in distilled water for incorporating natural Na⁺‐MMT, Li⁺‐exchanged MMT, Ca²⁺‐exchanged MMT, and Al³⁺‐exchanged MMT, respectively. The results showed that the cation‐exchange process had some obvious influences on final water absorbency of superabsorbent composite. NaCl, CaCl₂, and FeCl₃ solutions did not alter the swelling characteristics of the superabsorbent materials at a concentration of less than 0.01 mM, however, a concentration of greater than 0.1 mM caused a collapse in the swelling curves. The excellent swelling‐reswelling‐swelling behavior and lower swelling rate testified that Al³⁺‐exchanged MMT can act as an assistant crosslinker in the polymeric network. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Factors influencing absorbent properties of saponified starch‐g‐(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide)

Mixtures of acrylamide (AM) and acrylic acid (AA) were grafted onto gelatinized maize starch by using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as an initiator. These graft copolymers were hydrolyzed with alkali to yield hydrogels. The effects of different reaction variables, such as the concentration of the initiator and crosslinker, initial dilution of monomers, gelatinization conditions of starch, and the ratio of AM and AA in the monomer feed, on the water absorption capacities of these hydrogels have been examined. Absorption increases on gelatinizing starch at a higher temperature for a longer time as smaller granules gelatinize only under these conditions. The higher proportion of AA in the monomer feed enhances absorption due to formation of polyelectrolyte. The optimum conditions for obtaining maximum water absorbency established in the present study are granular maize starch = 2.0 g; gelatinization temperature = 95°C; gelatinization time = 60 min; AM = 1.0 g; AA = 4.0 g; CAN = 0.008 mol/L; N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide = 1%. The product so formed was saponified with NaOH and then precipitated in excess of methanol. The dried and finely powdered product showed the maximum water absorbency of 510 g/g. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2480–2485, 2000     

Synthesis and characterization of functionalized acrylic‐acrylamide‐based superabsorbent gels

We have synthesized series of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) by solution free radical polymerization of acrylic acid (AA), acrylamide (AM) with different functional monomers (FM). Three functional monomers including zwitterionic monomer [3‐(methacryloylamino) propyl] dimethyl (3‐sulfopropyl) ammonium (MPDSA), cationic monomer (3‐acrylamidopropyl) trimethylammonium chloride (APTAC) and anionic monomer 2‐acrylamidoglycolic acid monohydrate (AGAM) were selected to provide different charged groups on the superabsorbents. The effect of reaction parameters, such as degree of neutralization, content of initiator and crosslinker on the swelling capacity were assessed. The water absorbency of the superabsorbent were characterized in the distilled water, 0.9 wt % NaCl solution and the mixed solution containing 60 mg L^?1 CaCl₂ and 30 mg L^?1 MgCl₂, respectively. In addition, the swelling rate and water retention capacity in the soil were also investigated. Finally, the mechanism of different absorbency induced by the variety kinds of functional monomers was studied by XPS and FTIR, and tentative interpretation was presented as well. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Preparation and properties of a degradable interpenetrating polymer networks based on starch with water retention,amelioration of soil,and slow release of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer

In this study, we aimed to develop a degradable nitrogen and phosphorus (NP) fertilizer with properties of slow release, water retention, and remediation of saline soil; the nitrogen and phosphorus was coated with starch/poly(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide) [poly(AA‐co‐AM)] superabsorbent (SAAmF) by reverse suspension radical copolymerization. The variable influences on the water absorbency were investigated and optimized. The results of the structure and morphology characterization of SAAmF show that poly(AA‐co‐AM) was grafted partly from the chain of starch, and the different contents of starch brought about a difference in the size of the three‐dimensional net hole of the coating polymer. The property of water retention, the behaviors of slow release of nutrient, and the degradation of the SAAmF were evaluated, respectively, and the results revealed that the water transpiration ratio of soil with SAAmF was lower by approximately 8 percentage points than that of the blank test, about 60% nutrient was released from SAAmF by the 30th day, and 32 wt % of SAAmF with a content of starch of 20% was degraded after 55 days. Moreover, a considerable decrease in the conductivity was observed, which revealed a sharp reduction in the concentration of residual ions for the soil mixed with SAAmF. It may be inferred from these that the product seems to be a promising vehicle for the management of soils, including saline soils. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013