Swelling Behavior of Guar Gum-g-Poly(Sodium Acrylate -co-Styrene)/Attapulgite Superabsorbent Composites

A series of superabsorbent composites, guar gum-g-poly(sodium acrylate-co- styrene)/attapulgite GG-g-P(NaA-co-St)/APT], were prepared by simultaneous grafting partially neutralized acrylic acid and hydrophobic styrene (St) onto guar gum in the presence of attapulgite as an inorganic component. Equilibrium swelling capacity strongly depended on the concentration of St, drastically increasing with increasing St concentration to 24.3 mmol/L and then decreasing. The influence of St concentration on the swelling kinetics of the superabsorbent was studied by means of a Schott's second-order model. The proper amount of St is of benefit for the improvement of the initial swelling rate in either distilled water or saline solution. The influence of St concentration on the swelling behaviors in various external media (the aqueous solutions of various salts, pHs, hydrophilic organic solvent/water mixture and surfactants) was also investigated systematically. Results showed that the concentration of St is the key factor influencing equilibrium swelling capacity of the superabsorbent composites in each swelling media, and moderate amounts of St could enhance the responsiveness of the corresponding superabsorbent composite to external stimulation.