Preparation of Novel Superabsorbent Polymer of Xanthan-G-Poly (Acrylic Acid)/Montmorillonite

A novel xanthan-g-poly (acrylic acid)/ organic montmorillonite (XG-g-PAA/OMMT) superabsorbent polymer were synthesized by free-radical graft polymerization in aqueous solution using potassium persulfate as a free radical initiator and methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker, and then organic montmorillonite (OMMT) was introduced as filler into superabsorbent. The effects of reaction variables were systematically optimized to achieve a superabsorbent with swelling capacity as high as possible. Under the optimal synthesis condition, the polymer attained the best water absorbency of 882 g/g in distilled water and 107 g/g in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution. And such excellent character could be important to use in many fields, for example, in agricultural and horticultural applications.