A Novel Superabsorbent Composite Based on Poly(Aspartic Acid) and Organo-Kaolin

A novel superabsorbent composite of poly(aspartic acid)(PAsp)/organo-kaolin was prepared by the nonaqueous inverse-phase suspension method and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The equilibrium swelling ratio of the composite could be effectively improved by the introduction of organo-kaolin and when the organo-kaolin content is 3 wt% the maxima were achieved, 753 for distilled water and 125 for 0.9 wt% NaCl aq. solution. Salt resistance, pH sensibility and temperature response were also studied considering the practical application of the PAsp/organo-kaolin superabsorbent composite.