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Synthesis, characterization and swelling behaviors of hydroxyethyl cellulose‐ g ‐poly(acrylic acid)/attapulgite superabsorbent composite
Author(s) -
Wang Jinlei,
Wang Wenbo,
Wang Aiqin
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.21500
Subject(s) - swelling , acrylic acid , materials science , cellulose , superabsorbent polymer , hydroxyethyl cellulose , absorption of water , polymerization , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , aqueous solution , polymer chemistry , composite material , composite number , chemical engineering , chemistry , copolymer , organic chemistry , polymer , engineering
In this work, a series of novel hydroxyethyl cellulose‐ g ‐poly(acrylic acid)/attapulgite (HEC‐ g ‐PAA/APT) superabsorbent composites were prepared through the graft polymerization of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), partially neutralized acrylic acid (AA), and attapulgite (APT) in aqueous solution, and the composites were characterized by means of Fourier‐transform spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electronmicroscopy. The effects of polymerization variables including concentrations of the initiator and crosslinker and APT content on water absorbency were studied, and the swelling properties in various pH solutions as well as the swelling kinetics in various saline solutions were also systematically evaluated. Results showed that the introduction of 5 wt% APT into HEC‐ g ‐PAA polymeric network could improve both water absorbency and water absorption rate of the superabsorbent composites. In addition, the superabsorbent composites retained high water absorbency over a wide pH range of 4–10, and the swelling kinetics of the superabsorbent composites in CaCl 2 and FeCl 3 solutions exhibited a remarkable overshooting phenomenon. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers