Preparation and physicochemical properties of superabsorbent hydrogels based on poly (vinyl alcohol)/ poly (ethylene glycol)
Fitri Khoerunnisa (a), Cantika Setya Permatasari (a), Hendrawan (a), Fitri Dara (b), Yaya Sonjaya (a), Widda Rahmah (a,b)
a) Department of Chemistry, Indonesia University of Education Bandung, Indonesia 40154
b) Clean Technology Research Division, Indonesian Institute of Science, Bandung, Indonesia, 40135
c) Department of Chemical Engineering, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia, 40116
Abstract
This study aims to prepare and to investigate the physicochemical properties of superabsorbent hydrogels (SH) based on poly (vinyl alcohol)/ poly (ethylene glycol) with an aid of glutaraldehyde crosslinker. The SH was synthesized using solution mixing method. The physicochemical properties of synthesized SH were determined by means of FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, tensile strength, swelling ratio, and water retention tests. The results revealed that the optimum volume ratio of PVA (2.5% w/v): PEG (2.5% w/v): GA (3.33x10-5 % v/v) composition on SH was 2:3:3. The predominant interaction between polymer precursors involved functional moieties of C–O/C–O–C, C=O, C–H and –OH via hydrogen bonding. Copolymerization with PEG was not only modified crystallinity, tensile strength, thermal stability, and elasticity but also improved porous structure of PVA. The synthesized SH has huge water absorption capacity with water swelling ratio (% SR) and water retention (% WR) of 1230% and 53%, respectively.
Keywords: Superabsorbent; hydrogel; PVA; PEG
Topic: Chemistry