Work

Synthesis and Characterization of a Superabsorbent Polymer Gel Using a Simultaneous Irradiation Technique on Corn Straw

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Utilizing gamma rays as an initiating agent, a simultaneous irradiation method was applied to graft acrylic acid and acrylamide onto corn straw that had been decrystallized using a NaOH/urea solution at a reduced temperature, aiming to fabricate superabsorbent polymer gel (SAPG) capable of absorbing significantly more water. The structural attributes of the corn straw, the decrystallized corn straw, and the SAPG were analyzed via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray crystal powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To enhance the SAPG's performance, optimization of various parameters was carried out, such as irradiation dose, dose rate, the ratio of monomer to corn straw, the proportion of acrylic acid (AA) to acrylamide (Am), and the degree of neutralization. The resulting SAPG exhibited distilled water absorption of 1033 g/g and 90 g/g in 0.9 wt.% NaCl solution, with a radiation dose of 5 kGy, a dose rate of 1.5 kGy/h, AA-to-AM mass ratio of 1.2, monomer-to-CS mass ratio of 7, and 90% AA neutralization.

Source: Gels

DOI: 10.3390/gels11040244

Authors: Xingkui Tao, Jun Guo, Aihua Wang, Qiang Wang, Yang Yang, Minwei Xu

Institutions: Suzhou University, North Dakota State University

Language: English

Topic: Polymer-Based Agricultural Enhancements

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,534

Funder: Suzhou University