Study on superabsorbent composites XIX. Synthesis, characterization and performance of chitosan-g-poly (acrylic acid)/vermiculite superabsorbent composites

A novel chitosan-g-poly (acrylic acid)/unexpanded vermiculite (CTS-g-PAA/UVMT) superabsorbent composite was prepared by graft polymerization among chitosan (CTS), acrylic acid (AA) and unexpanded vermiculite (UVMT) in aqueous solution. The effect of polymerization variables, including the content of crosslinker, initiator and UVMT, the weight ratio of AA to CTS, the reaction temperature, time and drying method, on water absorbency were studied. The swelling rate of the superabsorbent composite in distilled water was also investigated. The results from FTIR spectra showed that CTS and UVMT participated in graft polymerization reaction with AA. Introducing UVMT into the CTS-g-PAA polymeric network could form a loose and more porous structure by the SEM analysis, and the polymerization reaction is performed on the surface of UVMT micropowders from the results of XRD. The introduced UVMT enhanced the swelling rate and the water absorbency of CTS-g-PAA/UVMT superabsorbent composite.