Abstracto

Synthesis and characterization of poly (acrylic acid) / Starch / Bentonite superabsorbent polymer composite

Parag Kulkarni, Lakhan Kalwale, Ajay Rane, V.K.Abitha

Anovel poly (acrylic acid)/Bentonite/Starch superabsorbent polymer (SAP) composite was synthesized by solution polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) on bentonite and starch using N, N-methylene bis acrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and potassium per sulfate (KPS) as an initiator in aqueous solution. The effects of various parameters such as initial monomer concentration, degree of neutralization ofAA, amount of crosslinker, amount of initiator and amount of bentonite clay on water absorbency were investigated. The synthesized polymer was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) & scanning electron microscope (SEM). The water absorbencies for these superabsorbent composites in water and saline solutions were investigated. The synthesized superabsorbent polymer has potential applications in hygienic, agricultural, medical and pharmaceutical applications.