Preparation and Water-Absorbing Capacity of Poly(Acrylic Acid)/Montmorillonite Composites

Poly (acrylic acid)/montmorillonite (PAA/MMT) superabsorbent composites was synthesized by high temperature rapid-induced solvent polymerization reaction. The structure of this composites was investigated by XRD. The relationship between reaction condition and water-absorbing capacity of this composites was researched. The result shows that, when montmorillonite content is less than 5 wt%, PAA/MMT composites is nanophase materials. With the increase of cross linker, neutralization degree of acrylic acid, or montmorillonite content, water-absorbing capacity of prepared composites first rises then decreases. When cross linker content is 0.225 wt%, neutralization degree is 70%, and montmorillonite content is 5 wt%, PAA/MMT composites possess microporous structure and its water-absorbing capacity is 511 times of the solid weight itself.