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Preparation, swelling behaviors and application of polyacrylamide/attapulgite superabsorbent composites
Author(s) -
Zhang Junping,
Liu Ruifeng,
Li An,
Wang Aiqin
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.676
Subject(s) - swelling , materials science , aqueous solution , composite material , saponification , polyacrylamide , superabsorbent polymer , composite number , swelling capacity , ammonium persulfate , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , chemistry , polymer , organic chemistry , engineering , polymerization
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 + , Mg 2+ > Ca 2+ = Ba 2+ 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.