Surface-crosslinking in the presence of nanoclay and characteristics of the itaconic acid-based superabsorbent polymer composites

Herein, the absorption properties of a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) are enhanced by preparing a lightly crosslinked poly(itaconic acid-co-acrylic acid) via solution copolymerization with 1,6-hexanediol acrylate as the crosslinker and ammonium persulfate as the initiator, then adding a surface-crosslinked shell containing a nanoclay. The structures of the CSAP and surface-crosslinked SAP are characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy and XRD analysis. The analysis in absorption properties according to nanoclay are evaluated. In addition, the gel strength and thermal stability are evaluated. The introduction of nanoclay in the surface layer is thereby shown to improve the absorption properties and thermal stability of the SAP.