Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(acrylic acid)/Poly(vinyl alcohol)-xanthan Gum Interpenetrating Network (IPN) Superabsorbent Polymeric Composites

Abstract

Initially interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogel was prepared by dispersing xanthan gum (XG) into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) backbone in an aqueous medium. Polyacrylic acid (PAA)/Poly (vinyl alcohol)-Xanthan gum IPN superabsorbent composite were fabricated well by dispersing the prepared IPN hydrogel in acrylic acid and polymerized in a complete aqueous environment through chemical cross-linking method. These superabsorbent polymeric composites were analytically evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra (FTIR), Thermal analysis (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Simultaneously water absorbency, swelling kinetics and water retention abilities of this prepared superabsorbent polymeric composites were also investigated systematically.

Keywords:

• IPN superabsorbent polymer
• Poly(vinyl alcohol)
• Polymerization
• Xanthan gum

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful to the Vice Chancellor of IFTM University for providing necessary technical facilities for this research work and Department of Metallurgy, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India for providing SEM, DSC and XRD facilities.

Notes

Where AA-Acrylic Acid, XG-Xanthan Gum, PVA-Poly(vinyl alcohol), APS-Ammonium persulfate, MBA-N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide.