Optimization of the water absorption by crosslinked agar-g-poly(acrylic acid)

Crosslinked agar-g-poly(acrylic acid) (x-agar-g-PAA) superabsorbent with a water absorbency (Q_H2O) of approximately 660 g/g was synthesized by the copolymerization of agar with an acrylic acid monomer. KPS and MBA were used as the initiator and crosslinker, respectively. Grafting was performed in air. Infrared spectroscopy was used to identify the product of copolymerization. The optimum conditions to synthesize the x-agar-g-PAA superabsorbent were 0.1 g of agar, 0.1 g of the KPS initiator, for 15 min; 50% AA monomer, 0.005 g of the MBA crosslinker, for a propagation time of 5 min; and 1 M NaOH for 15 min to allow for saponification. The reaction temperature was 80°C.