Preparation of superabsorbent terpolymer with improved absorbency under load and permeability

Abstract

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are special polymeric materials that can absorb large amounts of water, saline solutions or physiological fluids in their crosslinked structure. By the demand in the current SAP consumer market, absorbency under load and liquid permeability become the most important absorption characteristics of SAP. We synthesized a superabsorbent terpolymer, using itaconica acid (IA), vinyl sulfonic acid (VSA), and acrylic acid (AA). It is very important to improve the mechanical properties and absorption properties of existing SAP according to the demand of the consumer market. By preparing a new combination of monomers, we intend to develop SAP with improved mechanical properties and absorption properties. In addition, we want to improve some of the environmentally eco-friendly characteristics that are the most important issues in the industry in the 21st century. We have studied the absorption characteristics of poly (IA-ter-VSA-ter-AA) as a function of monomer ratio, crosslinker content or neutralization degree. We also studied the effect of glass bead in SAP network on the absorption properties. The optimal polymerization conditions were obtained at a monomer ratio of 7:1:2 (IA:VSA:AA), a inner-crosslinker content of 1.75 mmol, and a degree of neutralization of 50 mol%. We enhanced absorbency under load and gel permeability through surface-crosslinking of the SAP. The absorption properties of SAP was confirmed by free absorbency, measuring centrifuge retention capacity, and absorbency under load. The structure of superabsorbent terpolymer was confirmed by FT-IR and surface morphology was confirmed by SEM analysis.