Synthesis and study of magnesium complexes derived from polyacrylate and polyvinyl alcohol and their applications as superabsorbent polymers

Abstract Novel superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were created by solution polymerization at ambient temperature using potassium polyacrylate (KPA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and magnesium chloride as a cross-linking agent with different weights of 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, and 1 g for KPA and 0.33, 0.44, 0.55, 0.733, and 1.1 g for PVA. Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) and UV-Vis spectroscopy were used to determine the chemical composition of the SAP complexes. The outcomes revealed that the KPA and PVA successfully interacted with the magnesium chloride. The morphology of the surfaces shows a uniform porous interconnected microstructure as revealed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The effective preparation was confirmed by thermal characterization (thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry) of the SAPs. The influence of the cross-linker agent on the SAPs’ water absorbency was examined. The magnesium polyacrylate (Mg-PA) (0.6 g of MgCl 2 ) SAP has a maximum swelling capacity of 650%, while that of magnesium polyvinyl alcohol (Mg-PVA) (0.55 g of MgCl 2 ) was 244%. The findings confirmed that the SAPs have excellent swelling and water-retaining capabilities. The strategy used in this investigation may function as a model for developing and widespread usage of SAPs in agriculture and horticulture.