New terpolymer-matrix microcomposites for heavy metal removal

Terpolymer/kaolinite microcomposites were synthesized by 2:2:1 molar ratio of the selected monomers, respectively using various proportions of kaolinite clay via in situ oxidative terpolymerization. The outcomes were confirmed by FT-IR and UV-Vis spectra of terpolymers/kaolinite microcomposites. The thermal behaviour of the terpolymer microcomposites was examined and compared with the pristine terpolymer. SEM of terpolymer microcomposite was recorded at varied magnifications and was affirmed microcomposite granules spread out through the area including sizes from 0.06?μm to 0.70?μm. From DLS results, narrow PDI value of the terpolymer in the microcomposites suggests the narrow molecular weight distribution. This study demonstrates that terpolymers/kaolinite microcomposites particles could be represented as potential adsorbents for dangerous and perilous metal ions from water. Each of Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) caused a serious health problem in our day-to-day life.     

Poly(methacrylic acid)‐grafted clay–thermoplastic elastomer composites with water‐induced shape‐memory effects

Composites with excellent water‐induced shape‐memory effects (SMEs) were successfully synthesized by first using clay as the SME‐activating phase and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) as the matrix. Naturally abundant clay was grafted with poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) to improve particle interactions, which allowed for the formation of strong percolation networks in the composites, determined by swelling tests and dynamic mechanical analysis in combination with theoretical modeling. This led to significant improvements of the polymer modulus and high water absorptions, causing reversible modulus changes of up to 30 times from the wet to the dry condition. The results from cyclic wetting‐drying‐stretching tests showed the TPU–clay composite containing 10.4 vol % PMAA‐grafted clay exhibited the best SMEs among the composites investigated, with the shape fixity and shape recovery ratios being 82% and 91%, respectively. Besides SMEs, these new polymer–clay composites were also pH‐sensitive and mechanically adaptive upon exposure to water. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013 , 51, 1513–1522     

Environmental degradation of E‐glass/nanocomposite under the combined effect of UV radiation,moisture, and rain

This study seeks to investigate how the enhanced properties of the nanoclay E‐glass/epoxy composite can withstand the combined effects of ultraviolet radiation, moisture, and rain. The montmorillonite nanoclay's affinity to moisture compounded the moisture absorption ability of the nanoclay E‐glass/epoxy composites. The moisture in the polymer structure caused delamination, debonding of the fibers/matrix, microvoids, and fiber pullouts. The high clay content (2 wt %), therefore, recorded the highest rate of degradation of 15% in flexural stress for the first 20 days, compared to about 8 and 6% loss for the unmodified (0 wt %) and 1 wt % composites respectively. However, as the aging progressed beyond 20 days, the rate of degradation of the nanoclay E‐glass/epoxy composites laminates was steady at 10 and 18%, respectively, for the 1 and 2 wt %, while that of the unmodified polymer continued to degrade progressively. On the contrary, the viscoelastic properties of the nanoclay E‐glass/epoxy composites continued to deteriorate at a faster rate than the unmodified polymer composite. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 1024–1029     

Synthesis of novel fluoroalkyl end‐capped oligomers/silica gel polymer hybrids possessing antibacterial activity

New fluoroalkyl end‐capped oligomers/silica gel polymer hybrids‐low‐molecular weight biocide (hibitane) composites were prepared by the reactions of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) with fluoroalkyl end‐capped N‐(1,1‐dimethyl‐3‐oxobutyl)acrylamide oligomer, N,N‐dimethylacrylamide oligomers, and acrylic acid oligomers in methanol under acidic conditions at room temperature. The presence of hibitane in the composites was clarified by the use of elementary analyses of nitrogen in fluorinated acrylic acid oligomer composite and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of these fluorinated composites. Thermal stability of fluorinated composites thus obtained were found to increase significantly compared to those of the parent fluorinated oligomers. Thermal stability of fluorinated N,N‐dimethylacrylamide oligomer, acrylic acid oligomer/silica gel polymers hybrid‐hibitane composites decreased compared to those of the corresponding fluorinated oligomers/silica gel polymer hybrids; however, the thermal stability of fluorinated N‐(1,1‐dimethyl‐3‐oxobutylacryl)amide oligomer/silica gel polymer hybrid‐hibitane composite increased significantly compared to that of the corresponding fluorinated oligomer hybrid. The sol methanol solutions of these fluorinated composites were applied to the surface modification of glass to exhibit not only a strong oleophobicity imparted by end‐capped fluoroalkyl groups in oligomers but also a good hydrophilicity on the glass surface. Fluorinated oligomers/silica gel polymer hybrids‐hibitane composites were found to exhibit high anti‐bacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, these fluorinated hibitane composites are suggested to have high potential for new attractive functional materials through not only their excellent surface active property imparted by fluorine and their thermal stability but also through their anti‐bacterial activity. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In situ oxidative copolymerization and characterization of new poly(benzidine-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-phenylenediamine)/kaolinite microcomposites

Copolymers of benzidine and o-phenylenediamine/kaolinite clay composites with different percentages of kaolinite clay particles were synthesized via in situ oxidative copolymerization. The spectral characteristics upon incorporation of o-phenylenediamine units into the polybenzidine backbone in presence of kaolinite clay were investigated by means of UV–Vis and FTIR spectroscopy. The copolymer in the absence and in the presence of kaolinite clay was studied by thermal gravimetric analysis under non-oxidative conditions. The morphology of the copolymer kaolinite composites system was investigated by the scanning electron microscopy.     

Preparation of exfoliated polyacrylic clay nanocomposites with high loading: An investigation into the intercalation of ammonium‐terminated polyacrylic acid and polyacrylates

Low‐molecular‐weight polyacrylic acid with amine chain end used as a macromolecular intercalating agent was synthesized by radical polymerization using 2‐aminoethanethiol hydrochloride as chain transfer agent. Three polyacrylates (sodium polyacrylate‐t‐NH, calcium polyacrylate‐t‐NH, and zinc polyacrylate‐t‐NH) were prepared by neutralization from this polyacrylic acid using sodium hydroxide, zinc oxide, and calcium hydroxide as alkalies. The intercalation of ammonium‐terminated polyacrylic acid and polyacrylate was investigated by viscosity measurement, XRD, and TEM. Using this ammonium‐terminated polyacrylic acid as the intercalating agent, exfoliated polyacrylic acid/clay and polyacrylate/clay composites with a clay loading of ～30 and 20 wt %, respectively, were prepared through the evaporation of solvent from their clay suspensions. The thermal degradation of polyacrylic acid/clay and polyacrylate/clay composites was also studied by TGA. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2335–2340, 2008     

Preparation,structure, and property of polyoxymethylene/carbon nanotubes thermal conducive composites

Polyoxymethylene (POM)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) nanocomposites were prepared through a simple solution‐evaporation method assisted by ultrasonic irradiation. To enhance the dispersion of MWNTs in POM, MWNTs were chemically functionalized with PEG‐substituted amine (MWNT‐g‐PEG), which exhibited strong affinity with POM due to their similar molecular structure. The thermal conductivity and the mechanical properties of the composites were investigated, which showed that the thermal conductive properties of POM were improved remarkably in the presence of MWNTs, whereas reduced by using MWNT‐g‐PEG due to the heat transport barrier of the grafted‐PEG‐substituted amine chain. A nonlinear increase of the thermal conductivity was observed with increasing MWNTs content, and the Maxwell‐Eucken model and the Agari model were used for theoretical evaluation. The relatively high effective length factor of the composite predicted with mixture equation indicated that there were few entangles of MWNTs for the samples of MWNT‐g‐PEG in the composites. The mechanical strength of the composites can be improved remarkably by using suitable content of such functionalized MWNTs, and with the increase of the aliphatic chain length of PEG‐substituted amine, the toughness of the composites can be enhanced. Transmission electron microscope result indicated that MWNT‐g‐PEG exhibited strong affinity with POM and a good dispersion of MWNTs was achieved in POM matrix. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 905–912, 2010     

Response of protonic acid‐doped poly(o‐anisidine)/poly(vinyl alcohol) composites to relative humidity and role of dopant anions

Various protonated poly(o‐anisidine) (PoAN)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composites were prepared with different types of acids: sulfuric (SA), p‐toluene sulfonic (TSA), camphor sulfonic (CSA), and p‐dodecylbenzene sulfonic (DBSA). In the visible spectrum of each composite in dimethyl sulfoxide, three absorption peaks were observed at 440, 620, and 860 nm. The peaks at 440 and 860 nm, which were enhanced with the increasing content of acid‐doped PoAN in the PVA matrix, were attributed to the radical cation and localized polaron generated in the conducting polymer. However, the peak at 620 nm was ascribed to the emeraldine base (EB) form of PoAN; that is, a portion of the acid was detached from the conducting polymer to form EB‐PoAN and free acid. The linear dependence of the logarithmic electrical conductivity on the variation of humidity, which was observed for all the composites, was caused by the salt–base transition of the conducting polymer, that is, by the movement of free acid between the active sites of the conducting polymer and the strongly bound water existing in PVA, which in turn depended directly on the environmental humidity. The response time of the composites to humidity was shortened with a decrease in the size of the dopant anions: DBSA > CSA > TSA > SA. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4343–4352, 2000     

Synthesis of a model cyclic triblock terpolymer of styrene,isoprene, and methyl methacrylate

The synthesis of a model cyclic triblock terpolymer [cyclic(S‐b‐I‐b‐MMA] of styrene (S), isoprene (I), and methyl methacrylate (MMA) was achieved by the end‐to‐end intramolecular amidation reaction of the corresponding linear α,ω‐amino acid precursor [S‐b‐I‐b‐MMA] under high‐dilution conditions. The linear precursor was synthesized by the sequential anionic polymerization of S, I, and MMA with 2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐1‐(3‐lithiopropyl)‐1‐aza‐2,5‐disilacyclopentane as an initiator and amine generator and 4‐bromo‐1,1,1‐trimethoxybutane as a terminator and carboxylic acid generator. The separation of the unreacted linear polymer from the cyclic terpolymer was facilitated by the transformation of the unreacted species into high molecular weight polymers by the evaporation of the reaction solvent and the continuation of the reaction under high‐concentration conditions. The intermediate materials and the final cyclic terpolymer, characterized by size exclusion chromatography, vapor pressure osmometry, thin‐layer chromatography, IR and NMR spectroscopy, exhibited high molecular weight and compositional homogeneity. Dilute‐solution viscosity measurements were used as an additional proof of the cyclic structure. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1476–1483, 2002     

Preparation of polyaniline conductive composites with diene‐rubber or polyphenylacetylene

We describe the preparation of polyaniline (PANI‐EB) by aniline oxidation with KIO₃ and the purification of the resulting dedoped polymer by an acetone extraction step to eliminate undesired by‐products from polyaniline, which could generate some safety concerns in the application and use of PANI. Excellent homogeneous and electrically conducting composite films can be prepared from chloroform solutions of purified PANI doped with camphorsulfonic acid in presence of cis‐1,4‐polybutadiene as the film‐forming agent. These films have been characterized by FT‐IR and UV‐VIS‐NIR spectroscopy. A method to synthesisze PANI directly doped with dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) is also reported. DBSA‐doped‐PANI was then used to prepare composites with polyphenylacetylene (PPA) by growing homogeneous films from chloroform solution. These films were conductive and were studied by FT‐IR and UV‐VIS‐NIR spectroscopy. In view of the application of these composites as gas sensors or in “electronic noses”, a short discussion is presented about the criteria used in the selection of the chemical nature of the host polymer where doped PANI is included to confer electrical conductivity. The interaction between the molecules to be detected and the polymeric sensing surface is discussed in terms of physisorption, chemisorption and charge‐transfer‐complex formation. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of silane‐grafted polypropylene on the morphology of polypropylene and nylon 6/clay composites

Polypropylene (PP)/nylon 6/clay composites were prepared by compounding of PP, which had previously been treated with two kinds of silane compounds, with a master batch composed of 90 wt % of nylon 6 and 10 wt % of octadecyl amine‐modified sodium montmorillonite (NM10). The morphology of the composites was investigated by means of SEM, TEM, XRD, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis. All of the composites exhibited a phase‐separated morphology, irrespective of whether the PP was modified with the silane compounds or not. However, adhesive strength between the modified PP and NM10 was stronger than that between neat PP and NM10. Moreover, the PP grafted with 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (PP2) reacted with the silanol groups of the clay to form PP‐clay hybrid during the compounding, which acted as a compatibilizer for the PP/nylon 6/clay composite. PP2NM composite (PP2/NM10 80/20 on weight basis) exhibited a peculiar morphology, in that the PP‐rich phase formed island domains within the nylon 6‐rich domains, which were in turn dispersed in the PP‐rich continuous matrix. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 607–615, 2007.     

Immobilization of radioactive waste in mixture of cement, clay and polymer

Portland cement was mixed with kaolinite clay and epoxy polymer at different ratios to immobilize radioactive waste ions. The physical and mechanical properties of the mixtures in presence and in absence of some chemicals were investigated. Thermal analysis and infrared spectra of each mixture were also determined. The release of radioactive ions from cement, kaolinite clay, polymer mixture was studied. The presence of 7.5% kaolinite and 6% epoxy polymer increased the mechanical strength of cement mixed by 40% water, and decreased leachability of ions from mixture. Studies were also performed on a mixture of cement and 7.5% kaolinite cubes coated with a layer of epoxy polymer. Leachability of ions from these samples was decreased. A proposed container was designed to prevent release of ions from the immobilized matrix to the environment.     

Effect of GMA polymer compatibilizers on highly filled composites of low density polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide

Functional polymers such as polyethylene grafted glycidyl methacrylate （PE-g-GMA） and ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer （E/MA/GMA） were used as compatibilizers in the preparation of highly filled composites of polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide（PE/MH）. Comparative studies were performed on the effect of magnesium hydroxide and stearic acid on the interface within polymer and magnesium hydroxide composites. The effect of polymeric compatibilizers on the properties of the composites was studied using tensile and impact tests, torque rheological analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and environmental scanning electron microscopy （ESEM）. The microstructure of highly filled PE/MH composites changed after the addition of functional polymers. The mechanical properties of the composite material increased after compatibilization. The compatibilization processes of PE-g-GMA and E/MA/GMA were different. The grafted polymer was more compatible with polyethylene, which led to a polar polymer phase. In contrast, the tercopolymer tended to adhere to the surface of MH particles.     

Properties and Characterization of Organoclay/Dimethacrylate Composites Obtained by In Situ Photopolymerization

Summary: Composites of dimethacrylates/organoclay were obtained by in situ photopolymerization of Bis-GMA (Bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate) and TEGDMA (tetraethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) in the presence of camphorquinone and DEEMA (2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate). The composites contained up to 10% wt/wt of organoclays. Monomer conversion and polymerization kinetics were determined by real time Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy – Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR), and showed an increase of conversion with addition of the clay. The storage modulus E' of the composites also had a marked dependence on the composite composition and increased with addition of clay at all temperatures. T_g also increases with clay content. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that the clay is completely exfoliated for the composites with a lower proportion of clay, whereas for larger clay/polymer proportions peaks corresponding to the interlamellar distance of the clay are still observed. This is probably due to the fact that the amount of monomers in the initial formulation was not sufficient to delaminate the clay. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images indicate a quite homogenous copolymer, with some clay aggregates that increase in size and number for the higher filler loadings in agreement with the XRD results.     

Preparation and morphological,electrical, and mechanical properties of polyimide‐grafted MWCNT/polyimide composite

Precursor of polyimide, polyamic acid has been prepared sucessfully. Acid‐modified carbon nanotube (MWCNT) was grafted with soluble polyimide then was added to the polyamic acid and heated to 300 °C to form polyimide/carbon nanotube composite via imidation. Morphology, mechanical properties and electrical resistivity of the MWCNT/polyimide composites have been studied. Transmission electron microscope microphotographs show that the diameter of soluble polyimide‐grafted MWCNT was increased from 30–60 nm to 200 nm, that is a thickness of 70–85 nm of the soluble polyimide was grafted on the MWCNT surface. PI‐g‐MWCNT was well dispersed in the polymer matrix. Percolation threshold of MWCNT/polyimide composites has been investigated. PI‐g‐MWCNT/PI composites exhibit lower electrical resistivity than that of the acid‐modified MWCNT/PI composites. The surface resistivity of 5.0 phr MWCNT/polyimide composites was 2.82 × 10⁸ Ω/cm² (PI‐g‐MWCNT) and 2.53 × 10⁹ Ω/cm² (acid‐modified MWCNT). The volume resistivity of 5.0 phr MWCNT/polyimide composites was 8.77 × 10⁶ Ω cm (PI‐g‐MWCNT) and 1.33 × 10¹³ Ω cm (acid‐modified MWCNT).Tensile strength and Young's modulus increased significantly with the increase of MWCNT content. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3349–3358, 2007     

Preparation,characterization, thermo‐mechanical,and barrier properties of exfoliated thermoplastic toughened epoxy clay ternary nanocomposites

Ternary nanocomposites are prepared by blending hydroxyl‐terminated poly ether ether ketone having pendant methyl groups (PEEKMOH) with epoxy resin along with Nanolin DK1, followed by curing with 4,4′‐diamino diphenyl sulphone. Differential scanning calorimetry shows a two‐stage cure behavior indicating the catalytic effect of the primary amine and proton, which are generated by the dissociation of organic modifier. Tensile and flexural moduli are increased while tensile strength and glass transition temperature are decreased with increase in clay concentration. Fracture toughness and strain at break are increased by 59 and 62%, respectively, with 1 phr clay loading. Transition electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveal exfoliated morphology for the nanocomposites. Scanning electron micrographs show a decrease in both, domain size as well as inter domain distance of the thermoplastic phase with the addition of clay, indicating the occurrence of gelation before phase separation. Analysis of the fracture surface reveals crack path deflection and ductile fracture behavior, confirming that toughness has been improved with the addition of clay and PEEKMOH. Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the nanocomposites is decreased up to 3 phr clay loading. Oxygen gas permeability is compared with Bharadwaj's and Neilson's models. A marginal improvement in thermal stability is observed with the addition of clay. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biodegradable polyester/modified mesoporous silica composites for effective bone repair with self‐reinforced properties

A series novel composites based on poly(_L‐lactide) (PLLA) oligomer modified mesoporous silica (MCM41) homogeneous dispersed into poly(_L‐lactide‐co‐trimethylene carbonate‐co‐glycolide) (PLTG) terpolymer has been successfully prepared. The structure of PLTG terpolymer was characterized by ¹H NMR. The structure and properties of modified and unmodified MCM41 were attested by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption–desorption, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM), which demonstrated that the MCM41 was successfully grafted by the PLLA oligomer. The effect of different concentration of modified MCM41 in PLTG matrix on thermal properties, mechanical properties, and hydrophilicity was investigated by TGA, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), mechanical testing, contact angle measurement, and SEM. The results of mechanical tests showed that 5 wt% of modified MCM41 nanoparticles gave rise to optimal reinforcing effect. The tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation at break of the PLTG/PLLA‐MCM41 (5%) composites were 33.2 Mpa, 1.58 Gpa, and 268.7%, respectively, which were all higher than the PLTG/MCM41 (5%) composites and pristine PLTG matrix, which were due to good interfacial adhesion between the PLTG matrix and MCM41 nanoparticles. TGA and DSC have shown that 5% modified MCM41 in the PLTG increased the temperature of composite degradation and T_g. Water contact angle measurement showed the hydrophilicity of the composites increases with the increase of modified MCM41 content. The live/dead assay showed that the modified MCM41 existing on the PLTG matrix presents very excellent cytocompatibility. Therefore, the novel composite material represents promising way for bone tissue engineering application.     

Biomimetic chitosan‐treated clay–elastomer composites with water‐responsive mechanically dynamic properties

Biomimetic hydrophobic polymer composites with water‐responsive mechanically adaptive behaviors were successfully prepared using hydrophilic chitosan‐treated clay (chi‐clay) as the water‐activated, pH‐sensitive and reinforcing phase and elastomeric thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) as the matrix. Structural characterization, swelling tests in three representative solutions with different pH values, and dynamic mechanical analysis under wet and dry conditions were performed on the resultant chi‐clay‐TPU composites with varying chi‐clay contents. The results showed that the equilibrium swelling degree of TPU increased significantly with increasing chi‐clay content and that water transportation in all the composites followed Fickian diffusion mechanism. The presence of chi‐clay provided remarkable enhancement of the storage modulus of TPU and offered water‐responsive changes of the modulus. Such changes increased with chi‐clay content and were pH‐sensitive, with the acidic condition rendering the largest modulus difference. These water‐responsive polymer composites may find potential applications in biomedical fields and beyond. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 55–62     

An experimental and theoretical mechanistic analysis of thermal degradation of polypropylene/polylactic acid/clay nanocomposites

Polypropylene/polylactic acid (PP/PLA) blends containing 5 wt% of nanoclay in presence and absence of an ethylene‐butylacrylate‐glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer as compatibilizer were prepared by melt‐mixing process. A matrix‐droplet–type morphology confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies is formed in presence and absence of the compatibilizer in which the clay platelets were mainly localized in the polylactic acid (PLA) dispersed phase. Degradation studies by means of thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and analysis of degradation activation energy (E_a), T_max (maximum degradation temperature), and ΔT (difference between initial and final degradation temperatures) parameters for each polymer component of the system revealed that incorporation of less stable PLA phase to polypropylene (PP) decreases E_a and T_max parameters, and hence, reduces the thermal stability of PP phase, while incorporation of clay nanoplatelets to the neat blend further reduces its thermal stability attributed to their lack of localization in PP phase. Compatibilization of the filled system results in migration of clay nanoplatelets toward PP and improves E_a and T_max of PP phase. On the other hand, the E_a and T_max of PLA phase of the blend were increased with incorporation of clay and its localization within that phase, while compatibilization of the filled system slightly reduces thermal stability of PLA phase due to migration of clay toward PP. A correlation was found between E_a and intensity of the thermogravimetry analysis Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA‐FTIR) peaks of the evolved products. Using the Criado method, a detailed analysis on degradation mechanism of each component was performed, and the changes in the degradation mechanism of the developed systems were determined.     

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.