Preparation, Swelling and Antibacterial Behaviors of N-Succinyl Chitosan-g-Poly(Acrylic Acid-co-Acrylamide) Superabsorbent Hydrogels

Superabsorbent hydrogels were prepared successfully from N-succinyl chitosan grafted poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide). The potassium persulfate (KPS), N, N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) were used as the initiator and crosslinker, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to confirm the porous network structure of superabsorbent hydrogel. The effects of reaction parameters on the swelling behaviors of the superabsorbent hydrogels were investigated. The results indicated that water absorbency increased first, and then decreased gradually with the increase in the contents of monomer (AA+AM), KPS, MBA or acrylamide. The product had excellent water absorbency of 1375 g/g in distilled water and 83 g/g in 0.9wt% NaCl solution. Simultaneously, the superabsorbent hydrogels were pH sensitive. The antibacterial activities of the hydrogels against Escherichia coli (E. coli) were improved effectively because of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer absorbed in the hydrogels.