Superabsorbent polymeric materials IX: Effect of cationic structure on swelling behavior of crosslinked poly(sodium acrylate‐co‐cationic monomers) in aqueous salt solutions

Two series of xerogels based on sodium acrylate (SA), trimethyl methacrylamidopropyl ammonium iodide (TMMAAI), trimethyl methacryloyloxyethyl ammonium iodide (TMMAI), and N,N′‐methylene‐bis‐acrylamide (NMBA) as a crosslinker were prepared by inverse suspension polymerization. The water absorbency and swelling kinetic behavior for these xerogels in water or various saline solutions were investigated. The results showed that the swelling behaviors of these absorbents are related to their chemical structures, their compositions, and the type of external salt solutions. There would be effective improvement in the water absorbency of these two gel series by copolymerizing SA with a small amount of cationic monomer (TMMAAI or TMMAI). The initial absorption rates in deionized water were found to be faster for TM series gels than for TA series gels. The two series of superabsorbents had a tendency to absorb water in dilute nitrate aqueous solutions in the order: Fe³⁺, Ni²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Na⁺ for Fe(NO₃)₃, Ni(NO₃)₂, Ca(NO₃)₂, Cu(NO₃)₂, and NaNO₃ aqueous solution, respectively. The absorbency and initial absorption rate for these gels were related to the gel compositions and salt concentrations. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 1827–1837, 2001     

Superabsorbent polymeric materials VII: Swelling behavior of crosslinked poly[sodium acrylate‐CO‐trimethyl methacrylamido‐propyl ammonium iodide] in aqueous salt solutions

A series of xerogels based on sodium acrylate (SA), cationic comonomer trimethyl methacrylamidopropyl ammonium iodide (TMMAAI), and N,N‐methylene‐bis‐acrylamide (NMBA) were prepared by inverse suspension polymerization. The water absorbency and the swelling behavior for these highly absorbent polymers in deionized water and various saline solutions were investigated. Results indicated that the water absorbency increased when a small amount of TMMAAI monomer was introduced into the SA gel. The water absorbency decreased with increase in TMMAAI content, but the contrary result was observed for initial absorption rate. Moreover, with more crosslinking agent, the water absorbency was lower. Finally, the adsorption of copper ion by these gels was also investigated. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 1749–1759, 2000     

Superabsorbent polymeric materials. VI. Effect of sulfobetaine structure on swelling behavior of crosslinked poly(sodium acrylate‐co‐sulfobetaines) in aqueous salt solutions

A series of xerogels based on sodium acrylate (SA), N,N‐dimethyl(acrylamidopropyl) ammonium propane sulfonate (DMAAPS) or dimethyl(methacryloyloxy ethyl) ammonium propane sulfonate (DMAPS), and N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide (NMBA) was prepared by inverse suspension polymerization. The water absorbencies or swelling kinetic behaviors for these xerogels in water or various saline solutions were investigated. The swelling behaviors of these absorbents were related to their chemical structures, their compositions, and the nature of external salt solutions. The water absorbencies of these two copolymeric gel series in deionized water or in various salt solutions would be improved effectively by copolymerizing SA with a small amount of zwitterionic monomer (DMAAPS or DMAPS). The water absorbency of the gel containing DMAPS is larger than that of the gel containing DMAAPS when the amount of zwitterionic monomer in the copolymeric gel is <0.8 mol %, but a contrary result is observed when the zwitterionic monomer content is >0.8 mol %. The tendency of the absorbency for these gels in dilute solution is in the order Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Ni²⁺ for CuCl₂, ZnCl₂, CoCl₂, and NiCl₂ aqueous solution, respectively. The absorbency and initial absorption rate for those gels are related with gel compositions and salt concentrations. Finally, the adsorption of cupric ion by these gels is also investigated. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 1221–1232, 1999     

Superabsorbent polymeric materials III. Effect of initial total monomer concentration on the swelling behavior of crosslinked poly(sodium acrylate) in aqueous salt solution

A series of xerogels based on sodium acrylate (SA) and N,N′-methylene-bisacrylamide (NMBA) were prepared by inverse suspension polymerization. The water absorbency or swelling behaviors for these hydrogels in water or various saline solutions was investigated. Experimental results indicate that the absorbency of poly(SA) in deionized water increases with decrease in the initial total monomer concentration. Results obtained from this study show that the water absorbency, respectively, exhibited a value of 992 g H₂O/g sample and 106 g H₂O/g sample in deionized water and a 0.9 wt % NaCl solution at an initial total monomer concentration of 3.03M. The absorbency in the chloride salt solutions decreases with increase in the ionic strength of the salt. For the same ionic strength of various salt solutions, the swelling amount has the following tendency: Co²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Cu²⁺ for the higher ionic strength of 6.25 × 10⁻⁴ to 2.0 × 10⁻³M, and Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ approximately have the same swelling amount for the lower ionic strength of < 6.25 × 10⁻⁴M. The influence of monovalent, divalent, and trivalent anions with a common cationic ion (Na⁺) on the water absorbency shows the tendency of monovalent < divalent < trivalent anions for the same ionic strength. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 2371–2380, 1997     

Superabsorbent polymeric materials. IV. Swelling behavior of crosslinked poly [sodium acrylate-co-N,N-dimethyl (acrylamidopropyl) ammonium propane sulfonate] in aqueous salt solution

A series of xerogels based on sodium acrylate (SA), N,N-dimethyl(acrylamidopropyl)ammonium propane sulfonate (DMAAPS), and N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide (NMBA) were prepared by inverse suspension polymerization. The water absorbency or swelling behavior for these xerogels in water or various saline solutions was investigated. Results obtained from this study revealed a water absorbency of 721 g H₂O/g sample in deionized water and 83 g H₂O/g sample in 0.9 wt % NaCl solution for a gel containing a 1.50 × 10 ⁻² molar fraction of DMAAPS. The absorbency in the chloride salt solutions decreased with an increase in the ionic strength of the salt. For the same ionic strength of various salt solutions, the swelling amount had the following tendency: Co ²⁺ > Ni ²⁺ > Cu ²⁺ for the higher ionic strength of 2.44 × 10 ⁻⁵–1.8 × 10 ⁻² M. The Co ²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu ²⁺ solutions induce approximately the same degree of swelling at the lower ionic strength of <2.44 × 10 ^minus;5 M. The pH effect on the water absorbency for these xerogels was also investigated. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66:499–507, 1997     

Superabsorbent polymeric materials. I. Swelling behaviors of crosslinked poly(sodium acrylate-co-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) in aqueous salt solution

A series of crosslinked poly(sodium acrylate-co-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) based on sodium acrylate (SA), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide (NMBA) are prepared by inverse suspension polymerization. The resultant crosslinking polymers are xerogellants. This work investigates not only the absorbency or swelling behavior for these xerogellants composed of different ratios of HEMA/SA in water, but also the effects of various salts and pH values on the swelling properties. Experimental results indicate that the absorbency in deionized water decreases with an increase in the HEMA in copolymeric gel, which is related to the degree of expansion of the network and the strength of the hydrophilic group. The absorbency in the chloride salt solutions decreases with an increase in the salt concentration (swelling is 50 times for the IA group chloride salt solutions, but is less than 5 times for the IIA group salt solution), owing to the osmosis of water and ions between the polymeric gel and the external solution. A decrease in the extent of swelling occurs for divalent and trivalent chloride salt solutions. For the salt solutions of the same ionic strength, the swelling amount has the following tendency: LiCl(aq) = NaCl(aq) = KCl(aq), CaCl₂(aq) < SrCl₂(aq) < BaCl₂(aq), and Fe³⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Cu²⁺. These orders are related to the complexing ability between metallic cations and the carboxylate group in the polymeric chains. Finally, the adsorption of ferric ion by these gels is also investigated. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Superabsorbent polymeric materials. XI. Effect of nonionic monomers on the swelling behavior of crosslinked poly(sodium acrylate‐co‐nonionic monomers) in aqueous salt solutions

A series of xerogels based on sodium acrylate, nonionic monomers such as 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA), and N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide were prepared by inverse suspension polymerization. The results indicate that the water absorbencies for these two gel series were effectively improved by the addition of a small amount of nonionic monomer (HEMA or PEGMA). The initial absorption rates in deionized water were faster for the PEGMA gels than for the HEMA gels. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the spherical particle size was smaller for the PEGMA gels than for the HEMA gels. In addition, the water absorbency of the gels in various salt solutions decreased with increasing ionic strength, especially for the multivalent salt solutions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3666–3674, 2004     

Superabsorbent polymeric materials. XII. Effect of montmorillonite on water absorbency for poly(sodium acrylate) and montmorillonite nanocomposite superabsorbents

A series of novel xerogels based on sodium acrylate (NaA), montmorillonite (MMT), and N,N′‐methylene‐bisacrylamide (NMBA) were prepared by inverse suspension polymerization and water solution polymerization. The influences of pure MMT, intercalated MMT, the method of polymerization, and the content of the MMT in the copolymeric gels on the water absorbency and the initial absorption rate in deionized water and various salt solutions were investigated. Results showed that the water absorbency was increased by adding a small amount of the pure MMT into the copolymeric gels, but decreased by adding intercalated MMT into the gels. In addition, the water absorbency of the gels prepared by water solution polymerization was lower than that prepared by inverse suspension polymerization. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3422–3429, 2004     

Synthesis and properties of the copolymer of acrylamide with 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid

A cross‐linked copolymer of acrylamide (AM) with 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) was prepared by solution polymerization. In this reaction, potassium persulfate (PPS) and N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (NMBA) were used as initiator and cross‐linker, respectively. This copolymer, poly(acrylamide‐co‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid) (PAMA), can absorb up to 1749 g/g of dry polymer in distilled water and 87 g/g of dry polymer in 0.9 wt % NaCl aqueous solution at room temperature. The PAMA also has excellent performance in absorbing pure alcohols. Its absorbencies in methanol and glycol are about 310 g/g and 660 g/g, respectively. The effects of various salt solutions on the swelling properties were studied systematically, and the relationship between the absorbency and the concentrations of the different salt solutions can be expressed as Q = kcⁿ. Experimental results indicate that the absorbencies were stable at different water temperatures. The swelling rates of the copolymer in distilled water and a water/ethanol mixture (V_water:V_alcohol = 1:1) were also investigated, and the results showed that PAMA could absorb 992 g of distilled water per gram of dry polymer and 739 g of water/ethanol mixture per gram of dry polymer in five minutes. The PAMA has such good water retention at higher temperatures that the swollen gel can retain 71.6 and 49.5% of the maximum absorbency after being heated for 9 hours at 60 and 80 °C, respectively. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 3481–3487, 2003     

Preparation and properties of a salt‐resistant superabsorbent polymer

Crosslinked sodium polyacrylate was prepared by solution polymerization with N,N‐methylene‐bisacrylamide (bisAM) as crosslinking agent; it was subsequently surface‐crosslinked by ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) and then was modified with inorganic salt to obtain a superabsorbent with water absorbency in 0.9 wt % NaCl aqueous solution at atmosphere and applied pressure (P ≈ 2 × 10³ Pa) of 55 and 20 g.g^?1, respectively. Moreover, it also had excellent hydrogel strength. The effects of reaction temperature, reaction time, neutralization degree (ND) of acrylic acid, amount of initiator, crosslinking agent, and surface‐crosslinking agent, mass ratio of inorganic salt to initial superabsorbent, molar ratio of sodium aluminate (NaAlO₂) to potassium dihydrogen hyphosphate (KH₂PO₄) on water absorbency (WA) in 0.9 wt % NaCl aqueous, and the hydrogel modulus were investigated and optimized. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2532–2541, 2004     

Superabsorbent polymeric materials. XIV. Preparation and water absorbency of nanocomposite superabsorbents containing intercalated hydrotalcite

A series of novel xerogels, based on sodium acrylate (NaA), intercalated hydrotalcite (IHT), and N,N′‐methylene‐bisacrylamide (NMBA), were prepared by inverse suspension polymerization. The influences of the HT intercalated with acrylic acid (AA–IHT) and with 2‐acryloylamido‐2‐methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS–IHT), the content of the IHT in the poly(NaA) gel on the water absorbency, and the initial absorption rate in deionized water and various salt solutions were investigated. Results showed that adding a small amount of IHT could effectively increase the water absorbency of the gels, but adding excess IHT could decrease the water absorbency of the gels. In addition, the water absorbency of the gels containing AA–IHT was lower than that containing AMPS–IHT. The initial absorption rate, for the present gels, increased with increasing content of IHT in the copolymeric gels. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 2417–2424, 2004     

Superabsorbent polymeric material. V. Synthesis and swelling behavior of sodium acrylate and sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate copolymeric gels

A series of xerogels based on sodium acrylate (SA), sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propanesulfonate (NaAMPS), and N,N-methylene-bis-acrylamide (NMBA) are prepared by inverse suspension polymerization. The water absorbency and swelling behavior for these high absorbent polymers in deionized water and transition salt solutions are investigated. Experimental results indicated that the absorbency in deionized water increases with an increase of the NaAMPS content in the copolymeric gels, which is related to the degree of charge density of the network and the strength of hydrophilic group. The extent of crosslinking agent also influenced the swelling capacity because of elastic chain force of the polymer chain. The absorbency in chloride salt solutions decreases with an increase in the ionic strength of salt. But the decrease of absorbency is different in monovalent and multivalent salt solution. This behavior can be accounted for in terms of counterion condensation or screening effect for monovalent cations, as well as complexation for multivalent cations. The swelling rates in various salt solutions for these xerogels are also investigated. At last, SA-NaAMPS copolymeric gels were used for ion adsorption. But the result showed that the adsorptive amount of transition metal ions for SA-NaAMPS copolymeric gels was lower than that for pure poly(SA) gel. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 229–237, 1998     

Synthesis of AA‐based superabsorbent interpenetrated with sodium PVA sulfate

An interpenetrating network of acrylic acid (AA)‐based superabsorbents and sodium PVA sulfate (SPS) were prepared by copolymerizing AA and N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide as a crosslinking monomer in a solution of SPS with KPS, a radical initiator. The SPS was prepared through the sulfation of the hydroxyl groups of PVA with DMF‐SO₃ complex in DMSO. The AA‐based superabsorbent interpenetrated with SPS (SA‐IP‐SPS) showed superior properties such as higher water and saline absorbency, absorbency under load (AUL), and water retention value (WRV) compared with AA‐based superabsorbent due to the interpenetrated SPS. The maximum water and saline absorbency of SA‐IP‐SPS was 1753 and 125.6 g/g, respectively. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 2525–2532, 2000     

Superabsorbent polymeric materials. II. Swelling behavior of crosslinked poly[sodium acrylate-co-3-dimethyl(methacryloyloxyethyl) ammonium propane sulfonate] in aqueous salt solution

A series of xerogels based on sodium acrylate (SA), 3-dimethyl (methacryloyloxyethyl) ammonium propane sulfonate (DMAPS), and N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide (NMBA) are prepared by inverse suspension polymerization. The water absorbencies or swelling behaviors for these xerogels in water or various saline solutions respectively exhibit a value of 1435 g H₂O/g sample and 96 g H₂O/g sample of deionized water and 0.9 wt % NaCl solution at a gel containing 1.88 × 10⁻³ molar ratio of DMAPS while the extent of 1.53 × 10⁻³ molar ratio (0.25 wt % based on total monomer) of NMBA was used in the polymerization. The absorbency in the chloride salt solutions decreases with an increase in the ionic strength of salt. For the same ionic strength of various salt solutions, the swelling amount has the following tendency: Na⁺ > Fe³⁺ > A1³⁺ > Ca²⁺ for the higher ionic strength of 5 × 10⁻³ −2 × 10⁻²M and Na⁺ > Fe³⁺ > Ca²⁺ > A1³⁺ for the lower ionic strength of < 2 × 10⁻⁴M. The bound water found by DSC investigation is approximately equal to 2 g H₂O/g sample. The pH effect and thermal effect on the water absorbency for these xerogels are also investigated. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 1701–1712, 1997     

Synthesis of acrylamide‐co‐(itaconic acid) superabsorbent polymers and associated silica superabsorbent polymer composites

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were synthesized from acrylamide (AM) and itaconic acid (IA) via a crosslinking polymerization. SAP composites (SAPCs) were formed by the incorporation of silica with three particle sizes into the polymerization to increase the gel strength of SAPs. Effects of AM: IA molar ratios, silica types and concentrations on water absorbency, absorbency rate and absorbency under loadings (AUL) of the composites were investigated. The highest water absorbency of the SAP is 233 ± 8 g g^?1 at an AM: IA molar ratio of 97:3 with absorbency of 149 ± 2 g g^?1 within 15 min. The highest AUL of the SAPC with 0.5%–2.0% w w^?1 silica is 13 g g^?1 by 1.93 × 10³ Pa load. A pseudo‐second‐order kinetics for water absorbency was found in both SAPs and in situ SAPCs. In situ SAPCs and the mechanically mixed SAPCs in vertical and horizontal direction yielded similar water absorbency values. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Enhanced swelling and methylene blue adsorption of polyacrylamide‐based superabsorbents using alginate modified montmorillonite

Polyacrylamide/sodium alginate modified montmorillonite (PAM/SA‐MMT) superabsorbent composites were synthesized by free‐radical polymerization under normal atmospheric conditions. They were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Their water absorbency and methylene blue (MB) adsorption behaviors were studied. Compared with PAM/MMT composites, PAM/SA‐MMT composites demonstrated greater water absorbency (863 g g^?1 in distilled water and 101 g g^?1 in 0.9 wt % NaCl solution) and higher adsorption capacity of 2639 mg g^?1 for MB. The adsorption behaviors of the composites showed that the isotherms and adsorption kinetics were in good agreement with the Langmuir equation and pseudo‐second‐order equation, respectively. FTIR analysis suggested that the MB adsorption of PAM/SA‐MMT composites via a mechanism combined electrostatic, H‐bonding and hydrophobic interaction. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014 , 131, 40013.     

Study on superabsorbent composite. XV. Effects of ion‐exchanged attapulgite on water absorbency of superabsorbent composites

A series of superabsorbent composite, polyacrylamide/attapulgite, from acrylamide (AM) and ion‐exchanged attapulgite (APT) was prepared by aqueous polymerization, using N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator. The effects of ion‐exchanged APT on water absorbency of superabsorbent composites in distilled water and in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution were studied. The result indicates that higher cation‐exchange capacity (CEC) and lower specific surface area (SSA) of APT treated with various anions are of benefit for improving water absorbency in distilled water. The effects of AlCl₃ solution concentration and Al³⁺‐exchanged APT content on water absorbency of the composite were also investigated. The concentration of AlCl₃ solution has a great influence on water absorbency of the superabsorbent composite. Al³⁺‐exchange of APT could also enhance reswelling ability of the corresponding composite, which indicates that Al³⁺‐exchange of APT could improve gel strength and gives a direct evidence for its acting as an inorganic assistant crosslinker in the polymeric network. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:208–213, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis of novel high oil‐absorption resins of poly(methyl methacrylate–butyl methacrylate) by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization using activators regenerated by electron transfer for efficient removal of oil

Oil‐absorption resins are considered one of the effective materials to separate organic chemical compounds from oily water. In this work, well‐defined high oil‐absorption resins of poly(methyl methacrylate–butyl methacrylate) grafted onto silica gel were prepared by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization using activators regenerated by electron transfer mediated by FeCl₃/iminodiacetic acid. The grafted polymers were grown in a controlled manner. By considering the effect of different polymerization conditions, we prepared novel high oil‐absorption resins. The chemical structures of the resins were determined by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. SEM and TGA were also used to characterize the resins. It was found that the resins had good heat‐resistant quality, higher oil absorbency and better oil retention and regeneration properties. The resins can absorb 31.2 g g^?1 for tricholoromethane and 23.3 g g^?1 for toluene. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and swelling properties of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐1‐vinyl‐3‐(3‐sulfopropyl)imidazolium betaine hydrogels

A series of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate/1‐vinyl‐3‐(3‐sulfopropyl)imidazolium betaine (HEMA/VSIB) copolymeric gels were prepared from various molar ratios of HEMA and the zwitterionic monomer VSIB. The influence of the amount of VSIB in copolymeric gels on their swelling behavior in water and various saline solutions at different temperatures and the drug‐release behavior, compression strength, and crosslinking density were investigated. Experimental results indicated that the PHEMA hydrogel and the lower VSIB content (3%) in the HEMA/VSIB gel exhibited an overshooting phenomenon in their dynamic swelling behavior, and the overshooting ratio decreased with increase of the temperature. In the equilibrium water content, the value increased with increase of the VSIB content in HEMA/VSIB hydrogels. In the saline solution, the water content for these gels was not affected by the ion concentration when the salt concentration was lower than the minimum salt concentration (MSC) of poly(VSIB). When the salt concentration was higher than the MSC of poly(VSIB), the deswelling behavior of the copolymeric gel was more effectively suppressed as more VSIB was added to the copolymeric gels. However, the swelling behavior of gels in KI, KBr, NaClO₄, and NaNO₃ solutions at a higher concentration would cause an antipolyelectrolyte phenomenon. Besides, the anion effects were larger than were the cation effects in the presence of a common anion (Cl^?) with different cations and a common cation (K⁺) with different anions for the hydrogel. In drug‐release behavior, the addition of VSIB increased the drug‐release ratio and the release rate. Finally, the addition of VSIB in the hydrogel improved the gel strength and crosslinking density of the gel. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2888–2900, 2001     

Preparation and morphology of high‐performance exfoliated poly(sodium acrylate)/hydrotalcite nanocomposite superabsorbents

A poly‐matrix composite—poly(sodium acrylate) (PSA)/hydrotalcite (HT) (PSA/HT) nanocomposite superabsorbent—with obvious improvements in both the water absorbency and salt absorbency has been prepared by the intercalated HT, using sodium methyl allyl sulfonate as an intercalation agent. The superabsorbents acquired their highest water (salt) absorbency when the content of HT is 3 wt%. The highest absorbency for deionized water and 0.9 wt% NaCl _(aq) were 1100 g/g and 145 g/g, respectively. Microstructures were analyzed by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. Chemical analysis was determined measurements. Results showed that HT incorporated into the superabsorbents was by Fourier infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersion spectroscopy. Results showed that the superabsorbent particles were in the form of spheres, and the hydrogels were in the form of regular network structures. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers