Synthesis and Properties of GO-Doped Porous Hydrogel Nanocomposites with Semi-Interpenetrating Network Structure

Superabsorbent hydrogel nanocomposites (SHN) with semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) are synthesized by the polymerization of acrylamide monomer in a polyethylene glycol aqueous solution in the presence of the octadecylamine (ODA)-modified graphene oxide (GO-ODA) nanosheets. The hydrogel composites are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravity analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The water absorbency of the resulting SHN in distilled water and saline solutions are measured. The results show that doping GO-ODA nanosheets into hydrogel semi-IPN would enhance both their salt resistance and water retention. Using a simple freezing-dry method, porous SHN with macroscopically interconnected pores is prepared, which exhibits excellent separation ability for removal of trace water from oils. Based on their better water absorbency, salt resistance, and excellent oil/ water separation ability, the resulting SHN has great potentials in a wide range of applications, for example, oil dehydration, absorption, and separation.