Preparation, Swelling and Water-Retention Properties of Crosslinked Superabsorbent Hydrogels Based on Guar Gum

Utilization of natural polymer as matrix for preparing hydrogels can improve the performance of the materials and render them environmentally friendly. In this work, the guar gum-g-poly(sodium acrylate) (GG-g-PNaA) superabsorbent hydrogels were prepared by the solution graft copolymerization of natural guar gum (GG) with partially neutralized acrylic acid (NaA) using ammonium persulfate (APS) as initiator and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as crosslinker. FTIR spectra confirmed that NaA had been grafted on GG chains. The effects of reaction variables including the concentration of APS and MBA, the weight ratio of acrylic acid (AA) to GG and the neutralization degree of AA on water absorption were investigated. The superabsorbent hydrogel prepared under optimal condition gives the best absorption of 1107 g∙g–1 in distilled water and 88 g∙g–1 in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution. Effects of external pH on the swelling properties of hydrogels were investigated, and the practical water retention properties of the hydrogels were also evaluated. Results indicated that the hydrogels exhibited excellent pH-stability in a wide pH range from 4 to 11, and the water-retention capabilities of sand soils were also greatly improved after utilizing the superabsorbent hydrogels. This superabsorbent hydrogels could be used as potential eco-friendly water-saving materials for agricultural or ecological application.