Preparation and properties of an organic–inorganic composite superabsorbent based on attapulgite

A novel, low-cost, and eco-friendly organic–inorganic composite superabsorbent is successfully prepared in aqueous solution by graft copolymerization of partially neutralized acrylic acid (AA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and attapulgite (APT) using ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator and N, N-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker. The structure and morphology of the composite superabsorbent are characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The effects of APT content which can affect the water absorbency and the pH, ionic surfactants and different saline solution which can affect swelling capabilities of the composite superabsorbent are also investigated. The results show the composite superabsorbent give the best absorption up to 680 g/g and 53 g/g in distilled water and 0.9 wt% NaCl solution, high water absorbency over a wide pH range of 4–10, high swelling capacity in anionic surfactant than that of cationic solution, which makes it promising for potential applications in modern agriculture and horticulture. On the other hand, the composite superabsorbent can be used for removing multivalent metal ions.