Study on superabsorbent composite. III. Swelling behaviors of polyacrylamide/attapulgite composite based on acidified attapulgite and organo-attapulgite

A novel kind of salt-resistant superabsorbent composite, polyacrylamide/attapulgite, from acrylamide (AM) and attapulgite (APT) was prepared by free-radical aqueous polymerization, using N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator. The organification of APT with hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (HDTMABr) was proved by FTIR and XRD. The effects of acidified APT (H⁺-APT), organo-APT (HDTMABr-APT) and the content of APT in the superabsorbent composite on the water absorbency and the initial swelling rate for the superabsorbent composite in distilled water and in various saline solutions were studied. The effects of incorporated HDTMABr-APT and H⁺-APT on the reswelling ability of the superabsorbent composites were investigated. The results indicate that the incorporation of APT had remarkable influence on the improvement of water absorbency and swelling rate of the composites. Comparing with the composite doped with H⁺-APT, the water absorbency for the composite doped with 10 wt% HDTMABr-APT was enhanced from 2140 g g⁻¹ to 2800 g g⁻¹ in distilled water and from 100 g g⁻¹ to 121 g g⁻¹ in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution, respectively. The water absorbency of the composites in various saline solutions decreased with the increasing concentration, especially for the multivalent cations. In addition, the reswelling ability of the superabsorbent composites is also improved evidently by adding a small amount of HDTMABr-APT into the composite, comparing with that of incorporated with H⁺-APT.     

Study on superabsorbent composite. IV. Effects of organification degree of attapulgite on swelling behaviors of polyacrylamide/organo-attapulgite composites

A novel kind of superabsorbent composite, polyacrylamide/organo-attapulgite, from acrylamide (AM) and attapulgite (APT) was prepared by aqueous polymerization, using N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator. APT was organified with five different degree of hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (HDTMABr), and the organification degree of APT was proved by FTIR, TGA and XRD. The effects of organification degree of APT on water absorbency and swelling rate of the superabsorbent composite in distilled water and in various saline solutions were investigated in this study. The effect of organification degree on reswelling ability of the superabsorbent composites was also investigated. The results indicate that the organification degree of APT had remarkable influence on swelling behaviors of the superabsorbent composites. The superabsorbent composite acquired its highest water absorbency when the organification degree of APT is 8.02 wt.%.     

Syntheses and properties of superabsorbent composites based on natural guar gum and attapulgite

Utilization of raw materials available in nature and their application to derive other useful products without any adverse impact on the environment has long been a desired goal. In this work, guar gum (GG) and attapulgite (APT) clay were used as raw materials for preparing guar gum‐g‐poly(acrylic acid)/attapulgite (GG‐g‐PAA/APT) superabsorbent composites through the graft copolymerization of GG, partially neutralized acrylic acid (AA) and APT in aqueous solution. The effects of reaction conditions such as concentrations of the initiator and crosslinker, APT content, etc. on water absorbency were investigated. The composite prepared under optimal conditions gave the best absorption of 529 g/g sample in distilled water and 61 g/g sample in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution. Swelling behaviors revealed that the superabsorbent composites retained a high water absorbency over a wide pH range of 4–11, and the developed composites also exhibited improved reswelling and water‐retention capabilities. The superabsorbent composites can be utilized as eco‐friendly water‐manageable materials for agricultural and horticultural applications. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation,swelling behaviors and application of polyacrylamide/attapulgite superabsorbent composites

A series of superabsorbent composites, polyacrylamide/attapulgite (PAMA), were prepared from acrylamide (AM) and attapulgite micropowder in aqueous solution, using N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator and then saponified with sodium hydroxide solution. This paper focuses on swelling behaviors of the PAMA superabsorbent composites in various saline solutions. The results indicate that saline solutions can weaken the swelling abilities of the PAMA compsites greatly. Water absorbency of the PAMA composites with 20 and 40 wt% attapulgite in aqueous chloride salt solutions has the following order: Li⁺ = Na⁺ = K⁺, Mg²⁺ > Ca²⁺ = Ba²⁺ all through the range of concentration investigated. However, swelling properties of the composites are complicated in CuCl_2(aq), AlCl_3(aq) and FeCl_3(aq) solutions and are related to saline solutions concentration. The deswelling behavior of PAMA composites is more obvious in univalent chloride salt solutions than in divalent and trivalent ones. The influence of kind and valence of anions on swelling ability of the composites is limited and almost the same. Moreover, reswelling capability, practical water retention ability in sand soil of the composites and the effect of pH on water absorbency of the PAMA composites were investigated. The PAMA composite shows good water retention and reswelling ability in sand soil, and may be used as a recyclable water‐managing material for the renewal of arid and desert environment. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and properties of superabsorbent containing starch and sodium humate

Starch and sodium humate were utilized as raw material for synthesizing starch‐g‐poly(acrylic acid)/sodium humate (St‐g‐PAA/SH) superabsorbent by graft copolymerization reaction of starch (St) and acrylic acid (AA) in the presence of sodium humate (SH) in aqueous solution. The effect of weight ratio of AA to St, initial monomer concentration, neutralization degree of AA, amount of crosslinker, initiator and SH on water absorbency of the superabsorbent were studied. The swelling rate and swelling behavior in NaCl solution as well as reswelling ability of the superabsorbent were systematically investigated. The results showed that the superabsorbent synthesized under optimal conditions with SH content of 7.7 wt% and St content of 11.5 wt% exhibits water absorbency of 1100 g/g in distilled water and 86 g/g in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution, respectively. Introducing SH into the St‐g‐PAA polymeric network can improved the swelling rate and reswelling capability of the superabsorbent. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,characterization, and swelling behaviors of chitosan‐g‐poly(acrylic acid)/poly(vinyl alcohol) semi‐IPN superabsorbent hydrogels

A series of granulated semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (semi‐IPN) superabsorbent hydrogels composed of chitosan‐g‐poly(acrylic acid) (CTS‐g‐PAA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were prepared by solution polymerization using ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator and N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker. The effects of reaction conditions such as the concentration of MBA, the weight ratio of AA to CTS, and the content of PVA on water absorbency were investigated. Infrared (IR) spectra and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses confirmed that AA had been grafted onto CTS backbone, and PVA semi‐interpenetrating into CTS‐g‐PAA networks. SEM analyses indicated that CTS‐g‐PAA/PVA has improved porous surface and PVA was uniformly dispersed in CTS‐g‐PAA network. The semi‐IPN hydrogel containing 10 wt% PVA shows the highest water absorbency of 353 and 53 g g^?1 in distilled water and 0.9 wt% NaCl solution, respectively. Swelling behaviors revealed that the introduction of PVA could improve the swelling rate and enhance the pH stability of the superabsorbent hydrogel. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study on superabsorbent of maleic anhydride/acrylamide semi‐interpenetrated with poly(vinyl alcohol)

A series of superabsorbents of maleic anhydride (MAH)/acrylamide (AM) interpenetrated with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were prepared by aqueous polymerization, using N,N‐methylenebiacrylamide (NNMBA) as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator. The samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effects of reaction variables on the water absorbency of the superabsorbents in distilled water and in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution were investigated. In addition, the effect of the PVA content on the swelling rate and sensitivity to saline of the superabsorbents were also investigated. The results showed that the absorbency, both in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution and in distilled water, first decreased and then increased with increasing PVA content. Moreover, the resultant superabsorbent had a higher absorption rate and it became less sensitive to saline by incorporating certain amount of PVA into the network of the hydrogel. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and swelling properties of hydrolysis-resistant superabsorbent composite based on acrylic acid and sodium bentonite

Abstract

A novel hydrolysis-resistant superabsorbent composite was prepared via the solution polymerization based on acrylic acid (AA) and sodium bentonite (SBT) as monomers, tetraallylammonium bromine (TAAB) as crosslinker and ammonium persulfate (APS) as initiator. The mechanism of polymerization and the structure of the superabsorbent polymer (SAP) were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (X-ray), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The reaction conditions such as different mass ratios of APS to AA, TAAB to AA, SBT to AA, neutralization degree of AA were optimized by orthogonal experiment, and the influence of each reaction condition on the capacity of water absorption at 150?°C was investigated via single-factor controlled experiment. The hydrolysis resistance and swelling kinetics of the SAP were studied in different solutions at 150?°C. Compared to traditional SAPs, the SAP synthesized with TAAB as crosslinker performed a more excellent hydrolysis resistance and water absorbency capacity at high temperatures. The water absorbency in distilled water or 0.1?mol L^?1 NaCl solution could reach 392.6 and 145.2?g g^?1at 150?°C, respectively. The SAP maintaining high swelling capacity in the pH range of 5–9 indicated its wide application values in the acidic or alkaline environment at high temperature. In addition, the SAP exhibited good reusability which could still retain about 73% of its initial water absorbency after reswelling six times at 150?°C.     

Preparation and properties of diatomite composite superabsorbent

A novel diatomite composite superabsorbent was synthesized by solution polymerization of partially neutralized acrylic acid and diatomite, using N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinking agent and hydrogen peroxide and L -ascorbic acid as a redox initial system. The influences of some reaction conditions, such as diatomite content, neutralization degree of acrylic acid, amount of initiator, amount of crosslinking agent, monomer concentration, and the reaction temperature on swelling characteristic were investigated. The water absorbency of the sample prepared at optimum conditions was 99 g/g in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution. The results of swelling rate measurement showed that diatomite composite superabsorbent had better swelling rate than that of poly(sodium acrylate) prepared in the same conditions. Other properties, i.e. water retention, reswelling ability and resistance to salt, were also examined. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and properties of macroporous superabsorbent composite

A fast swelling macroporous superabsorbent composite was prepared by the copolymerization of partially neutralized acrylic acid, 2‐acryloylamino‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), and attapulgite (APT) using N, N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (NNMBA) and trihydroxymethyl propane glycidol ether as crosslinking agents. For fast swelling rate (SR), sodium bicarbonate, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were introduced into the reaction system as foaming agent and stabilizers. Furthermore, the copolymer was surface‐crosslinked with glycerine and sodium silicate, and then blended with aluminum sulfate and sodium carbonate. The influences of the amount of NNMBA, trihydroxymethyl propane glycidol ether, PEG, CMC and sodium bicarbonate, and reaction temperature on water absorbence both under atmospheric pressure and load, and on the SR were investigated. The water absorbence of the sample in 0.9 wt% NaCl aqueous solution under atmospheric pressure and certain load (P ≈ 2 × 10³ Pa) could reach 54 and 8 g.g^?1, respectively, and the SR could reach 0.471 ml g^?1 s^?1. The excellent strength, resilience, and the dispersion of swollen hydrogel were also observed for the sample. Moreover, the surface morphology of macroporous superabsorbent composite was characterized using scanning electron microscope. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Acrylamide–itaconic acid superabsorbent polymers and superabsorbent polymer/mica nanocomposites

Superabsorbent polymer acrylamide (AM)/itaconic acid (IA) and its nanocomposite were synthesized by redox polymerization in an aqueous solution of both monomers with mica used as an inorganic additive. The influences of IA concentration, mica content, and crosslinker concentration on the water absorption and physical properties of the superabsorbent polymer and its nanocomposite were examined. Water absorbency in artificial urine by the synthesized copolymers, and the gel strength of the superabsorbent copolymers and their nanocomposites, were tested with loads of 0.28 or 0.70 psi. Transmission electron micrographs and X‐ray diffraction confirmed that the polymer chains were successfully intercalated into the silicate layers in the mica. The water absorbency and the artificial urine absorbency of the composite with an AM‐to‐IA mole ratio of 95:5, 0.2% mol N‐MBA, and 5% w/w mica were 748 ± 5 and 76 ± 2 g g^?1, respectively, whilst the neat copolymer achieved only 640 ± 7 and 72 ± 2 g g^?1 in water and artificial urine, respectively. The viscoelastic behavior suggested that the swollen gel of the nanocomposites exhibited mechanical stability and elasticity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Properties of a Superabsorbent Polymer Prepared by Copolymerization of Sodium Acrylate with Sodium 1‐(Acryloyloxy)propan‐2‐yl Phosphate

A novel monomer, 1‐(acryloyloxy)propan‐2‐yl phosphoryl dichloride, was synthesized and characterized in this work. Thereafter, the monomer was neutralized with sodium hydroxide and copolymerized with sodium acrylate to obtain a superabsorbent polymer. The superabsorbent polymer was then modified to improve its swelling properties (i.e., the water absorbency under load, the hydrogel strength, the resilience and the dispersion). Both single factor and orthogonal design experiments were adopted to obtain optimal conditions. The superabsorbent polymer prepared under the optimal conditions showed improved water absorbency in physiological saline [17 g · g^?1 under load (P = 2 × 10³ Pa) and 65 g · g^?1 at atmospheric pressure] and other swelling properties, such as hydrogel strength, resilience and dispersion, also improved.

     

Synthesis of bio‐based internal and external cross‐linkers based on tannic acid for preparation of antibacterial superabsorbents

Recent researches focus on the synthesis of new cross‐linkers from natural resources. In the current work, functionalized tannic acid was employed as a replacement of petroleum‐based cross‐linkers because of its outstanding biochemical properties. Alkene‐ and epoxy‐functionalized tannic acids were synthesized as internal and external cross‐linkers, respectively. Cross‐linker structures were characterized with Ft‐IR and ¹HNMR analysis. Different amounts, as well as different numbers of alkene functional group, were incorporated during the superabsorbent synthesis. Moreover, the internal cross‐linked superabsorbent was surface cross‐linked with different amounts of epoxy‐functionalized tannic acid and increased the absorbency under load about 10 g g^?1. Free absorption properties in water and saline solution, absorbency under load, and rheological properties of superabsorbents were investigated. In addition, the antibacterial activity of the internal and external cross‐linked superabsorbent was studied against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria via different methods and compared with that of conventional superabsorbent.     

聚丙烯酰胺/凹凸棒土(Attapulgite)纳米复合高吸水性树脂的制备与性能

高吸水性树脂是一种新型功能高分子材料,由于其优越的吸水保水性能,已在农林园艺和生理卫生用品等领域得到了应用,但它仍然存在抗盐性能差、吸水后凝胶强度低等不足．近年来,有机．无机复合高吸水性树脂因具有较高的吸水性能和低廉的生产成本而受到了广泛的关注,使用的无机粘土主要有高岭土、蒙脱土和凹凸棒土等．粘土具有活性基团和键合点,加入到高吸水性树脂三维网络中可以改善树脂的网络结构,提高其综合性能．凹凸棒土是一种含水富镁铝的层链状硅酸盐,相对于其它粘土,它具有很好的抗盐、吸附和胶体性能。     

Preparation of carboxymethyl cellulose‐g‐poly (acrylamide)/montmorillonite superabsorbent composite as a slow‐release urea fertilizer

A superabsorbent composite was synthesized through free‐radical graft copolymerization of carboxymethyl cellulose, acrylamide, and montmorillonite by means of a crosslinker such as N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide and potassium persulfate as an initiator. The preparation mechanism was proposed, and the composite structures were confirmed by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscope. The factors influencing the swelling capacity of the composite were determined to accomplish the highly swelling capacity. The composition (15 wt% carboxymethyl cellulose, 5.4 wt% montmorillonite, 82 wt% acrylamide, 0.07 wt% N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide, and 1.1 wt% potassium persulfate) exhibited high swelling capacity; it was selected to be loaded with urea fertilizer, and the release was investigated by measuring the conductivity. The results showed that the new controlled release system has good slow release properties.     

Synthesis,characterization and water absorbency properties of poly(acrylic acid)/sodium humate superabsorbent composite

A novel poly(acrylic acid)/sodium humate superabsorbent composite was synthesized by aqueous solution polymerization of acrylic acid using N, N′‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate as an initiator in the presence of sodium humate. The effects on water absorbency such as initial monomer concentration, degree of neutralization of acrylic acid, amount of crosslinker, initiator and sodium humate, etc. were investigated. The water absorbency of the superabsorbent composite synthesized under optimal synthesis conditions with a sodium humate content of 20% exhibited an absorption of 1268 g H₂O/g sample and 93 g H₂O/g sample in distilled water and in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution, respectively. Swelling rate and water retention tests were also carried out. The results show that sodium humate, as a kind of functional filler, can enhance comprehensive properties of superabsorbent composite and reduce the product cost significantly. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and characterization of poly(acrylic acid)‐iron rich smectite superabsorbent composites

A novel poly(acrylic acid)‐iron rich smectite (IRS) superabsorbent composite was synthesized by graft copolymerization reaction of acrylic acid (AA) in the presence of N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker. IRS was used to strengthen the hydrogel products in the polymerization process. Water absorbencies for these superabsorbent composites in water and saline solutions were investigated. IRS caused a reduced equilibrium swelling as low as 8–26%. However, grafted IRS particles resulted in improved gel strength as high as 66% compared to the IRS‐free sample. IRS modified superabsorbent hydrogel composites exhibited higher thermal stability compared to the IRS‐free sample. The pH dependent reversible swelling behavior of hydrogels was also investigated. It is found that the swelling process is pH dependent and reversible for synthesized superabsorbent. Superabsorbent hydrogel composites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR spectroscopy was confirmed grafting of acrylic chains onto the surface of IRS particles. From the standpoint of these results, these strengthened and thermostabilized hydrogels may be considered as good candidates for a controlled release study and agricultural applications. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

pH-Responsive Nanocomposites From Methylcellulose and Attapulgite Nanorods: Synthesis,Swelling and Absorption Performance on Heavy Metal Ions

A pH-responsive methylcellulose-g-poly(sodium acrylate)/attapulgite (MC-g-PNaA/APT) nanocomposite superabsorbent was prepared by the free-radical solution polymerization of methylcellulose (MC), sodium acrylate (NaA) and nanoscale attapulgite (APT) in the presence of the crosslinker N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA). The structure and morphology of the nanocomposite were characterized by FTIR, FESEM, TEM, XRD and EDS techniques, and the effects of the amount of MBA, MC and APT nanorods on swelling behaviors were also evaluated. Results indicate that NaA has been grafted onto MC macromolecular chains and APT nanorods participated in polymerization by its active silanol groups, and APT led to a better dispersion in the MC-g-PNaA matrix. The incorporation of APT clearly enhanced the swelling capacity and rate of the superabsorbent. In addition, the nanocomposite exhibited excellent absorption capacity on heavy metal ions, and its absorption amounts on Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions reached 9.86, 7.66 and 21.86 times greater than active carbon (AC). The biopolymer-based nanocomposite superabsorbents can be used as a potential water-saving material and candidate of AC for heavy metal ion absorption.     

Synthesis and properties of starch‐graft‐polyacrylamide/clay superabsorbent composite

A novel starch‐graft‐polyacrylamide/clay superabsorbent composite is synthesized by graft copolymerization reaction of acrylamide, potato starch and clay mineral micropowder, followed by hydrolysis with sodium hydroxide. The water absorbency of the composite reaches 4 000 g H₂O/g. The influence of kind and amounts of clay and of the crosslinker in the composite on the absorbent properties is discussed in this paper.     

Synthesis and properties of clay-based superabsorbent composite

A novel superabsorbent composites based on acrylic acid, acrylamide, and inorganic clay mineral-attapulgite were synthesized through a solution polymerization to improve water and saline absorbencies. The superabsorbent composite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of saline solutions, amount of initiator, crosslinker and attapulgite on the water absorbency of superabsorbent composites were investigated. The water retention test of superabsorbent composites were also carried out. The superabsorbent composite exhibited improved water and saline absorbencies compared with that of crosslinked poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) superabsorbent polymer. The water absorbency of the superabsorbent composite synthesized under optimal synthesis conditions with an attapulgite content of 10% reaches more than 1400 g H₂O/g and 110 g H₂O/g in distilled water and 0.9% NaCl solution, respectively.