Fast Swelling and Superabsorbent Properties of Radiation Crosslinked Acrylamide Based Polymers

ABSTRACT Crosslinked polyacrylamide, PAAm, and acrylamide Na-acrylate copolymer, P(AAm-Na-AAc), were prepared by using electron beam irradiation. It was found that the dose required for achieving the crosslinking of PAAm and P(AAm-Na-AAc), depends on the polymer moisture content. The irradiation dose to obtain PAAm of maximum gel fraction was over 40 and 20 kGy for dry and moist PAAm, respectively. The Structural changes in irradiated PAAM were investigated using TGA, FTIR, and SEM. The swelling properties of such powders in distilled water and real urine solution were determined. The prepared crosslinked polymers reached their equilibrium swelling state in a few minutes. As the gel content and crosslinking density decrease, the swelling of the polymers increases. The ability of the prepared polymers to absorb and retain large amount of solutions suggests their possible uses in horticulture and in hygienic products like disposable diapers.