Synthesis and Swelling Behavior of Poly(acrylic acid)/Graphite Oxide Superabsorbent Composite

Poly(acrylic acid)/graphite oxide superabsorbent composite was prepared by solution intercalation polymerization of acrylic acid and graphite oxide using N,N-methylene-bis-acrylamide as a cross-linker and potassium persulfate as an initiator. The composite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope, powder X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. The influence of reaction conditions on water and saline absorption of superabsorbent was studied in details. Water retention properties of the composite were also discussed. The improvement of absorption capacities and the retention rates with the incorporation of graphite oxide was found.