Majallah-i Dānishgāh-i ̒Ulūm-i Pizishkī-i Bābul (Jun 2008)
SYNTHESIS AND SWELLING BEHAVIOR OPTIMIZATION OF ACRYLIC SUPERABSOEBENT POLYMERS FOR MEDICAL, PHARMACEUTICAL AND HYGIENIC APPLICATIONS
Abstract
Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are a class of polymeric compounds which have the ability to absorb a large amount of water (solvent) or liquid from the media. These superabsorbents have different applications in medicine, pharmaceutical, hygiene as well as agriculture, gardening and industry. Many applications have been found through their amazing absorptive properties including towel, tissue paper, absorbent powder for sweating, artificial muscles, contact lens in ophthalmology and also can be used to control humidity in meat and poultry packages and to control the blood sugar. The aim of this work was to synthesize special polymer and characterizing some of its properties.In this study, polyacrylic acid based superabsorbent was synthesized by solution polymerization in the presence of a radical initiator. Different types of SAPs were produced with a variety of degree of neutralization. Different types of SAPs were produced with a variety of degree of neutralization. The gel fraction, water uptake, and equilibrium swelling are measured. Further, the effect of pH, temperature, and the ionic strength of the system are investigated. As a result, vigorous stirring accelerates the rate of swelling and the pH decreasing causes a significant swelling rate decreasing. The swelling capacity decrease with increasing cross-link density and the higher water content of the gel represents the poorer mechanical property of the gels.
