Superabsorbent Polymer Gels based on Polyaspartic Acid and Polyacrylic Acid

Polymer gels based on polyaspartic acid (PAsp) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) have been synthesised using ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate (diacrylate-EGDMA) and Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (Triacrylate-TMPTA) as cross-linkers. Swelling behaviour of these polymers has been studied in different solutions like glucose, saline and water. The swelling behaviour of these polymers has also been studied under different pH conditions. The swelling capacity has also been analysed under load to have an idea of the gel strength (Absorbency under Load-AUL). Best absorbing characteristics, as indicated by the swelling behaviour, have been observed in case of polymer gels synthesized with EGDMA. Polymers with maximum PAsp have shown maximum superabsorbent properties in case of EGDMA as a cross-linker. However, with TMPTA as a cross-linker molar mass ratio of 1:2 polyaspartic acid: acrylic acid have shown better results. These polymers have better superabsorbent characteristics. TMPTA based polymers have shown better properties under load than EGDMA These polymers can be used as smart polymers for various applications e,g., drug delivery, materials for wound dressings, etc as they have shown varying behaviour in different conditions. The structure of the polymers has been studied by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy) and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy). The surface morphology has further supported the results.