Preparation of bentonite-g-poly(acrylate-co-acrylamide) superabsorbent polymer composite for agricultural applications: Optimization and characterization

Abstract

Based on water absorbency, the Taguchi method was employed for the optimization of the synthetic parameters of a superabsorbent polymer composite production. Bentonite has been grafted to poly(acrylate-co-acrylamide) under microwave irradiation using methylene-bis-acrylamide as a cross-linker and potassium persulfate as an initiator. The hydrogel structure was confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy and the exfoliation of the bentonite was investigated by X-ray diffractometry. The morphology of the sample was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The relative thermal stability of the composite in comparison with the corresponding copolymer was proved via thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of various salt media and solutions with different pHs on the swelling of the superabsorbent composite was also studied. The role of the prepared composite as a soil conditioner has been tested.