Use of superswelling acrylamide/maleic acid hydrogels for monovalent cationic dye adsorption

Acrylamide/maleic acid (AAm/MA) superswelling hydrogels prepared by irradiation with γ radiation were used in experiments on swelling, diffusion, and adsorption of some water‐soluble monovalent cationic dyes such as basic red 5 (BR‐5), basic violet 3 (BV‐3), and brilliant cresyl blue (BCB). The AAm/MA hydrogel containing 60 mg MA and irradiated at 5.20 kGy was used for swelling and diffusion studies in water and aqueous solutions of the monovalent cationic dyes. For this superswelling hydrogel the swelling studies indicated that swelling increased in the following order: BR‐5 > water > BV‐3 ≥ BCB. The diffusion of water and the dyes within the hydrogels was found to have a non‐Fickian character. The uptake of the cationic dyes to the AAm/MA superswelling hydrogels was studied by the batch adsorption technique at 25°C. The uptake of dyes within the hydrogel increased in the following order: BR‐5 > BV‐3 > BCB. In the experiments of the adsorption equilibrium, S‐type adsorption in Giles' classification system was found. The binding ratio of the hydrogel/dye systems was gradually increased with the increase of the MA content in the AAm/MA hydrogel and the irradiation dose. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 1809–1815, 2001     

A New Sorbent Chemically Cross-linked Highly Swollen Copolymeric Hydrogels for Dye Uptake

Water uptake and the sorption properties of polyelectrolyte hydrogels made by the polymerization of acrylamide (AAm) with maleic acid (MA) were investigated as a function of composition to find materials with swelling and dye sorption properties. Highly swollen acrylamide/maleic acid (AAm/MA) hydrogels were prepared by free radical solution polymerization in aqueous solutions of AAm with MA as comonomer and two multifunctional cross-linkers such as trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) and 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate (BDMA). Swelling experiments were performed in water at 25°C, gravimetrically. Chemically cross-linked AAm/MA hydrogels were used in experiments on sorption of water-soluble monovalent cationic dyes such as “Nil blue” (NB) and “Methyl violet (MV)”. Weight-swelling ratio values of AAm/MA hydrogels were calculated range 8.88–61.46. Some swelling kinetic parameters were found. Diffusion behavior of water and water sorption rate constant were investigated. Water diffusion into hydrogels was found to be non-Fickian in character. For sorption of cationic dyes, NB and MV into AAm/MA hydrogels were studied by batch sorption technique at 25°C. AAm/MA hydrogels in the dye solutions showed coloration. However, the AAm hydrogel did not show sorption of any dye from solution. The amount of the dye sorbed per unit mass of AAm/MA hydrogels was investigated.     

Radiation synthesis and characterization of 2‐hydroxyethyl‐methacrylate‐based hydrogels containing di‐ and tri‐protic acid and its application on wastewater treatment

Radiation‐crosslinked 2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate/citric acid (HEMA/CAc), 2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate/tartaric acid (HEMA/TA), and 2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate/succinic acid (HEMA/Sc) copolymers were prepared by using ⁶⁰Co γ‐rays. The gel fraction yield and the swelling behavior of the prepared hydrogels were studied. It was shown that increasing irradiation doses was accompanied by an increase in yield of gel fraction and a decrease in swelling degree. The parameters of equilibrium swelling, maximum swelling, initial swelling rate, swelling exponent, and diffusion coefficient of the hydrogels were determined by studying the swelling behavior of the hydrogels prepared. It was seen that the equilibrium swelling degree increases as the content of acid increases, as a result of introducing more hydrophilic groups. When the hydrophilic polymer (acids) varies in the content range of 40–80 mg, swelling exponents (n) decreases, thereby indicating a shift in the water‐transport mechanism from the anomalous (non‐Fickian)‐type to the Fickian‐type. Characterization and some selected properties of the prepared hydrogels were studied, and accordingly the possibility of its practical use in the treatment of industrial wastes such as dyes and heavy metals (Fe, Ni, Co, and Cu) were also studied. The effect of treatment time, pH of feed solution, initial feed concentration, and temperature on the dye and heavy metals uptake was determined. The uptake order for a given metal was HEMA/TA hydrogel > HEMA/CAc > HEMA/Sc hydrogel. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Radiation Synthesis and Characterization Study of Imprinted Hydrogels for Metal Ion Adsorption

Nickel ions were imprinted in the prepared acrylamide/citric acid P(AAm/CA) hydrogels by using gamma rays. The conditions influencing the preparation of imprinted hydrogels are optimized. The porosity and the characterization of the prepared P(AAm), P(AAm/CA), P(AAm/CA)-M hydrogels was preformed using (TGA) and (SEM). The gel content increases by increasing the monomer concentration and the irradiation dose up to 25 kGy. The swelling (%), rate constant (k), equilibrium ratio (Seq), diffusion constant (n) and the swelling behavior in response to pH value was studied. The Ni²⁺ imprinted hydrogel can considerably enhance the adsorption capacity and selectivity of the metal ion from wastewater.     

Poly(Acrylamide-Sepiolite) Composite Hydrogels: Preparation, Swelling and Dye Adsorption Properties

Summary Polymer-clay hydrogel composite was prepared on the basis of polyacrylamide (PAAm) gel containing the clay mineral sepiolite. The properties of swelling and dye adsorption of poly(acrylamide-sepiolite) (AAm/Sep) composite hydrogel were investigated. The parameters of swelling and diffusion in water and dye solutions were calculated for the AAm and AAm/Sep hydrogels. It was found that the equilibrium swelling degree of obtained composite higher than that of AAm gel. Spectroscopic analysis of composite and composite-dye systems was done with FT-IR method. Adsorption of monovalent cationic dyes such as Basic Blue 12 (BB-12) Basic Blue 9 (BB-9), and Basic Violet 1 (BV-1), was studied on the composite. In the adsorption experiments, S (Sigmoidal) type for composite gel adsorption isotherms in the Giles classification system was found. Adsorption studies indicated that the amounts of adsorbed dyes on the AAm/Sep composite hydrogel were increased with following order; BB-12 > BB-9 > BV-1. The composite hydrogel may be considered as good candidate for environmental application to retain more water and dyes.     

Swelling and dye adsorption study of novel superswelling [Acrylamide/N-vinylpyrrolidone/3(2-hydroxyethyl carbamoyl) acrylic acid] hydrogels

Summary Super swelling acrylamide (Am)/N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP)/3-(2-hydroxyethyl carbamoyl) acrylic acid (HECA) hydrogels were prepared by free radical polymerization of quaternary mixtures of Am, NVP, HECA and water. The hydrogels were used in experiments on swelling, diffusion and adsorption of some water-soluble monovalent cationic dyes such as Crystal Violet (CV), Malachite Green (MG) and Methylene Blue (MB). In the experiment of the adsorption of dyes from their aqueous solutions type-S adsorption isotherm were found. The diffusion of water within the hydrogel was found to have non Fickian character. The uptake of dyes within the hydrogel increased in the following order: MG > MB > CV. The binding ratio of the hydrogel/dye systems was gradually increased with the increase of HECA content in the AAm/NVP/HECA hydrogel.     

Radiation-induced grafting of acrylamide and methacrylic acid individually onto carboxymethyl cellulose for removal of hazardous water pollutants

Carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogels were synthesized by grafting of acrylamide (AAm) and methacrylic acid (MAAc) individually with different concentrations onto carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) using direct radiation grafting technique. It was found that for both Poly(CMC/AAm) and Poly(CMC/MAAc), the grafting yield and grafting ratio increase with the increasing monomer concentration. Also, it is noted that both grafting ratio and grafting yield of Poly(CMC/AAm) are higher than that of Poly(CMC/MAAc). The effect of different monomer concentrations on gel (%) and swelling behavior was studied. It is found that the increasing monomer concentration increases gel (%). For Poly(CMC/AAm) hydrogels, the swelling behavior decreases with increasing AAm concentration due to high crosslinking hydrogel formation, while as MAAc content increases, swelling behavior increases up to Poly(CMC/MAAc) 1:25 wt%. Swelling kinetics and diffusion mechanism indicate that the water penetration obeys non-Fickian transport mechanism. The structures and properties of the original CMC and the prepared Poly(CMC/MAAc) and Poly(CMC/AAm) were characterized using different analytical tools such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). This study provides a solution to the discharge of different pollutants from wastewater. The adsorption capacity of Poly(CMC/MAAc) and Poly(CMC/AAm) hydrogels toward heavy metals, Cu⁺² and Co⁺², dyes such as acid blue dye and methyl green, and organic contaminants such as 4-chlorophenol and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid has been investigated.     

The usability of (sodium alginate/acrylamide) semi-interpenetrating polymer networks on removal of some textile dyes

In this study, (sodium alginate/acrylamide) interpenetrating polymer networks ((NaAlg/AAm)IPN) have been prepared at definite composition. The aqueous solution of 3% (w/v) sodium alginate and 50% (w/v) acrylamide was irradiated with ⁶⁰Co-γ rays at a dose rate of 0.07 kGy/h up to 5 kGy. The percent conversion was determined gravimetrically and 100% gelation was achieved at 5 kGy dose. To understand whether the semi-interpenetrating polymer network of sodium alginate is performed, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra of polyacrylamide (PAAm), sodium alginate, and the semi-interpenetrating polymer network were recorded. It is found that the FTIR spectra of PAAm, NaAlg, and the semi-interpenetrating polymer network are different. The thermograms of PAAm, sodium alginate, and the semi-interpenetrating polymer network were recorded for investigating their thermal character. (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels were immersed to swell in a solution of pH 7, at a temperature of 25°C. The swelling results at pH 7.0 indicated that (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogel, containing 3% NaAlg showed maximum % swelling in water but swelling increased in the order of water > Magenta > Methylene Blue > Safranine-O > Methyl Violet. Diffusion of water and aqueous solution of dyes within (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels was found to be of Fickian character at the initial stage of swelling with regard to values calculated for diffusion coefficient of (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels in water and aqueous solution of dyes. Some diffusion parameters were calculated from swelling of (NaAlg/AAm)IPN in water and dyes and their adsorption isotherms were plotted. In the adsorption experiments, the efficiency of (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels to adsorb Magenta, Safranine-O, Methylene Blue, and Methyl Violet dyes from water was studied. (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels showed different adsorption for different aqueous solution of dyes at pH 7.0. Adsorption isotherms were constructed for (NaAlg/AAm)IPN-dye systems. S type adsorption in the Giles classification system was found. Thermal and spectroscopic characterization of semi-interpenetrating polymer network of sodium alginate and acrylamide and dye adsorbed semi-interpenetrating polymer network of sodium alginate and acrylamide was recorded. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Poly(acrylamide/laponite) nanocomposite hydrogels: Swelling and cationic dye adsorption properties

Super adsorbent polyacrylamide (PAAm)/nanoclay (laponite, Lap) hydrogels were prepared by in situ free radical polymerization of AAm in an aqueous solution with clay as a crosslinker. The swelling properties and water‐soluble cationic dye adsorption behaviors of the PAAm/laponite (PAAm/Lap) nanocomposite (NC) hydrogels were investigated. The parameters of swelling and diffusion of water in dye solutions were evaluated for the PAAm/Lap NC hydrogels. The adsorption behavior of the monovalent cationic dyes such as Basic Blue 12 (BB 12), Basic Blue 9 (BB 9), and Basic Violet 1 (BV 1), were studied on the NC hydrogels. The effects of the clay content of the hydrogel on its cationic dye uptake behavior were studied. The adsorption studies indicated that the rates of dye uptake by the NC hydrogels increased in the following order: BB 9 > BB 12 > BV 1. This order is similar to the swelling results of the PAAm/Lap NC hydrogel in the dye solutions. The equilibrium uptakes of the different dyes by the PAAm/Lap NC hydrogel were nearly the same. In the dye absorption studies, S‐type adsorption in the Giles classification system was found for the BB 12 and BV 1 dyes, whereas L ‐type was observed for the BB 9 dye. After the heat treatment of PAAm/Lap, the rate of dye uptake and equilibrium dye uptake were increased. The NC hydrogels may be considered as a good candidate for environmental applications to retain more water and to remove dyes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Water sorption behavior of CMC/PAM hydrogels prepared by γ-irradiation and release of potassium nitrate as agrochemical

Novel types of highly swelling CMC/PAM hydrogels have been prepared by grafting cross-linked polyacrylamide (PAM) chains onto carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) via a free radical polymerization method using γ-irradiation. The prepared CMC/PAM hydrogels were characterized by FT-IR spectral analysis. The AM content and irradiation dose had a direct effect on gel content of CMC/PAM hydrogels and inverse effect on their swelling ratio. The hydrogels showed enormous swelling in aqueous medium and displayed swelling characteristics which were highly dependent on the chemical composition of the hydrogel, pH and ionic strength of the medium in which the hydrogel was immersed. The results were supported by morphological properties of CMC/PAM hydrogels by using SEM. The kinetics of water uptake and the water transport mechanism were studied as a function of the CMC/AM ratio into the prepared hydrogel. The release rate of potassium nitrate entrapped within the CMC/PAM matrix increased by enhancing its loading %, and decreased with lowering AM content and irradiation dose.     

Synthesis and properties of radiation‐induced acrylamide–acrylic acid hydrogels

Acrylamide (AAm)/acrylic acid (AAc) hydrogels in the cylindirical form were prepared by γ‐irradiating binary systems of AAm/AAc with 2.6–20.0 kGy γ‐rays. The effect of the dose and relative amounts of AAc and pH on the swelling properties, diffusion behavior of water, diffusion coefficients, and network properties of hydrogel systems was investigated. The swelling capacities of AAm/AAc hydrogels were in the range of 1000–3000%, while poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) hydrogels swelled in the range of 450–700%. Water diffusion into hydrogels was found to be non‐Fickian‐type diffusion. Diffusion coefficients of AAm/AAc hydrogels were found between 0.79 × 10^?5 and 2.78 × 10^?5 cm² min^?1. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3570–3580, 2002     

The effect of PEG(400)DA crosslinking agent on swelling behaviour of acrylamide-maleic acid hydrogels

Summary Acrylamide (AAm)-maleic acid (MA) hydrogels with different monomer ratios were prepared in an aqueous solution by radical polymerization using a new crosslinking agent, polyethyleneglycol (400) diacrylate (PEG (400) DA) and also using N, N’-methylenebisacrylamide (NMBA) for comparison purpose. The hydrogels were characterized by acid group content and FTIR spectroscopy. Their swelling and deswelling behavior were studied as a function of maleic acid content, pH and crosslinking agent. Incorporation of MA in hydrogels significantly increased their swelling ability and their equilibrium degree of swelling (EDS) values changed between 100–269 g water/g polymer in water while AAm polymers swollen less (22–23 g water/g polymer). The AAm hydrogels showed Fickian type diffusion but the all AAm-MA hydrogels showed non-Fickian type behavior. Their swelling degree increased with the increase of pH of the external medium and an instantaneous increase was observed near a pH value of 7.0. The use of PEG (400) DA instead of NMBA as a crosslinking agent also increased the swelling rate and capacity of the gel. The swelling constant (K) and the diffusion coefficient (D) of hydrogels were also increased. The swelling-deswelling cycles in acidic-basic solutions showed that they could be used as pH responsive gels without any decrease in swelling capacity.     

Swelling behavior and determination of diffusion characteristics of acrylamide–acrylic acid hydrogels

In this study, a random copolymer of acylamide and acrylic acid [poly(AAm‐co‐AA)] was prepared by a redox copolymerization method of their aqueous solutions. The effects of initial AAm/AA mole ratio, PEG 4000 content, and N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide concentration on swelling behavior were investigated in water. Average molecular weights between crosslinks, percentage swelling, swelling equilibrium values, and diffusion/swelling characteristics (i.e., the structure of network constant, the type of diffusion, the initial swelling rate, swelling rate constant) were evaluated for every hydrogel systems. The hydrogels showed mass swelling capabilities in the range 789–1040% (for AAm/AA hydrogels), 769–930% (for AAm/AA hydrogels in the presence of PEG 4000), and 716–1040% (for AAm/AA hydrogels containing different concentrations of the crosslinker). The swelling capabilities of the hydrogels decreased with the increasing AA, PEG 4000, and crosslinker concentrations. The diffusion of water into AAm/AA hydrogels was found to be a non‐Fickian type. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1289–1293, 2004     

Interaction of nicotine and its pharmaceutical derivatives with acrylamide/itaconic acid hydrogels

Acrylamide/itaconic acid hydrogels (AAm/IA) containing different amounts of itaconic acid prepared by irradiating with γ radiation were used in experiments on swelling, diffusion, and interactions of the pharmaceuticals nicotine, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and nikethamide. AAm/IA hydrogel containing 60 mg itaconic acid and irradiated at 4.65 kGy has been used for swelling and diffusion studies in water and aqueous solutions of the pharmaceuticals. For this hydrogel, swelling studies indicated that swelling increased with the following order: water > nicotine > nikethamide > nicotinamide > nicotinic acid. Diffusions of water and the pharmaceuticals within hydrogels were found to be non-Fickian in character. The uptake of the pharmaceuticals to AAm/IA hydrogels was studied by batch adsorption technique at 25°C. In the experiments of the adsorption, C-type adsorption in Giles's classification system was found. Some binding and thermodynamic parameters for AAm/IA hydrogel-pharmaceutical systems were calculated by using the Klotz method. The values of adsorption heat, free energy, and entropy of this system were found as negative values. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 733–739, 1997     

Microwave‐assisted preparation of temperature sensitive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels in poly(ethylene oxide)‐600

In this article, a series of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)‐based hydrogels were prepared under microwave irradiation using poly(ethylene oxide)‐600 (PEO‐600) as reaction medium and microwave‐absorbing agent as well as pore‐forming agent. All of the temperature measurements, gel fractions, and FTIR analyses proved that the PNIPAM hydrogels were successfully synthesized. Within 1 min, the PNIPAM hydrogel with a 98% yield was obtained under microwave irradiation. The PNIPAM hydrogels thus prepared exhibited controllable properties such as pore size, equilibrium swelling ratios, and swelling/deswelling rates when changing the feed weight ratios of monomer (N‐isopropylacrylamide, NIPAM) to PEO‐600. These properties are well adapted to the different requirements for their potential application in many fields such as biomedicine. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102:4177–4184, 2006     

Swelling characterization of poly (acrylamide-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-vinylimidazole) hydrogels crosslinked by TMPTA and semi-IPN’s with PEG

In this study, a novel semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN’s) hydrogel, composed of acrylamide (AAm) with N-vinylimidazole (NVI) as comonomer, with poly (ethylene glycol)(PEG) and a multifunctional crosslinker such as trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) was prepared. Highly swollen poly (AAm/NVI) hydrogels and semi-IPN’s were synthesized by free radical solution polymerization. Swelling experiments were performed in water at 25°C, gravimetrically. The influence of NVI and PEG content in hydrogels were examined. Poly (AAm/NVI) and poly (AAm/NVI/PEG) hydrogels showed large extents of swelling in aqueous media the swelling being highly dependent on the chemical composition of the hydrogels. Swelling ratio of poly (AAm/NVI) hydrogels and poly (AAm/NVI/PEG) hydrogels was shown 7.16–39.85. Diffusion behavior was investigated. Water diffusion into hydrogels was found to be non-Fickian in character. This study has given the quantitative information on the swelling characteristic of poly (AAm/NVI) hydrogel and semi-IPN’s as water absorbent in many potential applications.     

Radiation synthesis of hydrogels based on carboxymethyl cellulose and its application in removal of pollutants from wastewater

Synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose‐g‐methacrylic acid/acrylamide Poly(CMC/MAAc:AAm) hydrogel was carried out using direct radiation copolymerization technique at ambient temperature. The gel (%) increased with increasing the content of AAm till level off at Poly(CMC/MAAc:AAm) (1/50:50 wt%) hydrogel and the swelling behavior found to be increased with increasing MAAc content in the hydrogel composition up to Poly(CMC/MAAc:AAm) (1/60:40 wt%). The grafting yield, grafting ratio, swelling behavior, and the thermal stability of Poly(CMC/MAAc:AAm) binary system are higher than those reported in our previous study by the same author which described the individual grafting of acrylamide (AAm) and methacrylic acid (MAAc) with different concentration onto carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) using direct radiation grafting technique. The swelling kinetics and diffusion mechanism indicate that the water penetration obey non‐Fickian transport mechanism. The characterization of the prepared hydrogel was evaluated using Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The analyses by different analytical tools confirmed the successful grafting of both MAAc and AAm onto CMC. The adsorption capacity of Poly(CMC/MAAc:AAm) (1/60:40 wt%) hydrogel toward metal ions such as Cu⁺² and Co⁺², dyes such as acid blue dye and methyl green have been investigated. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:E35–E43, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis of the copolymer hydrogel κ‐carrageenan‐graft‐PAAm: Evaluation of its absorbent and adhesive properties

κ‐Carrageenan‐graft‐PAAm, a copolymer hydrogel of κ‐carrageenan (kC) and acrylamide (AAm), has been synthesized in aqueous medium at ～ pH 7 in the presence of the initiator potassium persulfate (KPS), using microwave irradiation. The reaction conditions were optimized by varying the concentration of AAm and KPS to obtain copolymer hydrogels having different nitrogen contents e.g., %N 6.35, 10.56, and 11.05. It was observed that copolymer hydrogel having %N 11.05 gives superior adhesive properties whereas copolymer hydrogel with %N 10.56 produces superior absorbent properties in the presence of optimized concentrations of AAm (0.87 and 1.1428 mol/L respectively) and KPS (0.022 and 0.0296 mol/L respectively). The product with %N 6.35 is a soft gel (2–5% gel in 1% KCl) exhibiting low gel strength (135 g cm^?2). The one with %N 10.56 showed superior swelling property and maximum swelling was observed in the alkaline pH (22 g/g). The swelling behaviors of the hydrogels were studied at different pHs (pH 1.2–12.5) as well as in 1% aqueous solutions of NaCl, KCl, and CaCl₂. The 5% dispersion of the hydrogel having %N 11.05 in water had good binding properties with papers, polyethylene sheets, and wood pieces. To evaluate the measure of adhesive property, the viscosity and solid and liquid weights of the applied adhesive were measured. Characterization of the copolymer hydrogels was done by TGA, X‐ray diffraction, ¹³C‐NMR, FT‐IR, elemental analyses, and rheological studies. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 5144–5152, 2006     

Characterization of hydrogels prepared by the γ irradiation of aqueous solutions of acrylamide and N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone comonomers

Copolymer hydrogels were prepared through the γ irradiation of aqueous solutions composed of different ratios of acrylamide (AAm) and vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) monomers. The chemical structure, thermal stability, and structural morphology of the hydrogels were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The IR spectroscopy analysis showed the formation of copolymerization and the presence of hydrogen bonding. The TGA study showed that the AAm/VP‐based hydrogels possessed higher thermal stability than polyacrylamide (PAAm). However, the thermal stability of the AAm/VP hydrogels increased with an increasing ratio of the VP component. The study of the swelling kinetics in water showed that all the hydrogels reached the equilibrium state after 24 h. However, the AAm/VP‐based hydrogels showed swelling in water that was lower than that of the hydrogel based on pure AAm. Meanwhile, the degree of swelling of the AAm/VP‐based hydrogels decreased with an increasing ratio of VP in the feeding solutions. The results showed that the PAAm and AAm/VP‐based hydrogels prepared at 50 kGy were affected by a change in the temperature around 25°C, whereas the hydrogels prepared at 25 kGy did not show this characteristic. However, the hydrogels prepared at different doses displayed reversible pH character. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

A new composite sorbent for water and dye uptake: Highly swollen acrylamide/2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid/clay hydrogels crosslinked by 1,4‐butanediol dimethacrylate

A novel type of highly swollen hydrogels based on acrylamide (AAm) with 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and clay such as bentonite (Bent) crosslinked by 1,4‐butanediol dimethacrylate (BDMA) was prepared by free radical solution polymerization in aqueous media. Water uptake and dye sorption properties of polyelectrolyte AAm/AMPS hydrogels and AAm/AMPS/Bent composite hydrogels were investigated as a function of composition to find materials with swelling and sorption properties. FTIR analyses were made. Swelling experiments were performed in water and dye solution at 25°C, gravimetrically. Highly swollen AAm/AMPS and AAm/AMPS/Bent hydrogels were used in experiments on sorption of water‐soluble monovalent cationic dye such as Lauths violet “LV, (Thionin).” Swelling of AAm/AMPS hydrogels was increased up to 1,920–9,222% in water and 867–4,644% in LV solutions, while AAm hydrogels swelled 905% in water and swelling of AAm/AMPS/Bent hydrogels was increased up to 2,756–10,422% in water and 1,200–3,332% in LV solutions, while AAm/Bent hydrogels swelled 849% in water. Some swelling kinetic and diffusional parameters were found. Water and LV diffusion into hydrogels was found to be non‐Fickian in character. For sorption of cationic dye, LV into AAm/AMPS and AAm/AMPS/Bent hydrogel was studied by batch sorption technique at 25°C. The amount of the dye sorbed per unit mass removal effiency and partition coefficient of the hydrogels was investigated. The influence of AMPS content in the hydrogels to sorption was examined. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers