Synthesis and swelling behavior of Protein-g-poly Methacrylic acid∕kaolin superabsorbent hydrogel composites

A novel superabsorbent hydrogel composite based on Collagen have been prepared via graft copolymerization of Methacrylic acid (MAA) in the presence of kaolin powder using methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinking agent and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator. The composite structure was confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy. A new absorption band at 1728 cm−1 in the composite spectrum confirmed kaolin‐organic polymer linkage. The effect of kaolin amount and MBA concentration showed that with increasing of these parameters, the water absorbency of the superabsorbent composite was decreased.The swelling measurements of the hydrogels were conducted in aqueous salt solutions.