Preparation and characterization of PVA/P(AA-AM) super absorbent polymer

PVA/P(AA-AM) super absorbent polymer was prepared with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM) as main materials by solution polymerization. The morphologies and composite physical states were investigated using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetry analysis (TG-DTG). Scanning electron microscopy observations revealed that a large number of porous network structures existed in the resin. Results from FTIR and XRD suggested that PVA/P(AA-AM) superabsorbent which had semi-interpenetrating network structure had been successfully prepared. Results from TG-DTG suggested that PVA/P(AA-AM) superabsorbent had good thermal stability under 200°C. At the same time it had good water retention property and the water retention property of sandy soil was improved obviously when the resin was added into the sandy soil.