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Poly(acrylamide‐ co ‐vinyl alcohol)—Superabsorbent materials reinforced by modified clay
Author(s) -
Swain Sarat K.,
Shur Bhargabi,
Patra Subrata K.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.22583
Subject(s) - swelling , acrylamide , materials science , vinyl alcohol , copolymer , polyvinyl alcohol , composite material , swelling capacity , scanning electron microscope , superabsorbent polymer , polyacrylamide , bentonite , composite number , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , polymer , engineering
A series of copolymeric superabsorbent materials comprising polyacrylamide (PAM), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) reinforced with variable wt% of modified clay were prepared. The copolymer/clay composite was characterized by Fourier transformed infrared, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The water absorbencies of poly(acrylamide‐ co ‐vinyl alcohol)/clay composites were measured by calculating their percentage swelling ratio. The effects of copolymerization, type of clay, and clay content on the water absorbencies were studied. The swelling was measured in acidic, alkaline, and saline condition to ensure its versatility. The results indicated a remarkable increase in swelling ratio by incorporation of modified clay having higher hydrophilicity and optimum clay loading. The poly(acrylamide‐ co ‐vinyl alcohol)/clay composite hydrogel was found to have better re‐swelling ability and water retention capacity compared to the virgin copolymer. The substantial enhancement of swelling properties enables the superabsorbent poly(acrylamide‐ co ‐vinyl alcohol)/clay suitable for agricultural and horticultural application. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1794–1800, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers