Preparation and Characterization of Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) by Graft Polymerization of Carboxymethyl Cellulose

Abstract

The synthesis of superabsorbent polymer with Carboxymethyl cellulose using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) initiated acrylamide (AA) monomer through a solution based graft copolymerization has been conducted. The characterizing studies were performed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and swelling studies. FTIR spectra established crosslinked polymeric network structure of hydrogels through graft copolymerization reaction between CMC and acrylamide indicating incorporation of acrylamide monomer resulting the formation of carboxamide group (>C=O). AFM showed the surface morphology or properties of superabsorbent. The hydrophilic properties of the superabsorbent were identified by the swelling percentage or degree of swelling.