Abstract

Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) has been widely used in many application such as in hygiene products, agriculture and also horticulture, wastewater treatment and others. The absorbency and degradability of SAP can be enhanced by utilization of carbon filler. In this research, SAP with carbon filler has been synthesized using graft polymerization method. Acrylic acid (AA) used as monomer, N, N-methylbisacrylamide (MBA) used as crosslinking agent, ammonium persulphate (APS) as initiator and different size of natural carbon filler used as filler. Water absorbency test showed that SAP with 500 μm carbon filler has highest degree of swelling while SAP with 125 μm and 71 μm carbon filler has degree of swelling lower than degree of swelling of control hydrogel. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) image showed 500 μm carbon filler has better surface morphology and alignment to make interfacial contact with hydrogel besides buil excellent capillary effect to absorb and store more water. In conclusion, smaller in particle size of filler will decrease the degree of swelling of SAP.

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