Synthesis and swelling properties of superabsorbent copolymers

Superabsorbent copolymers (SAPs) based on monomers acrylamide (AM), sodium acrylate (SA), and potassium acrylate (KA) were prepared by aqueous solutio n polymerization using ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator and N,N-me thylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinking agent. The copolymers were s ynthesized by varying, the monomer concentration, MBA concentration, and in itiator concentration The experimental results show the SAPs have better ab sorbency both in water and NaCl solutions. The copolymers are characterized by LR spectroscopy. The water retention in the soil is enhanced using the SAPs. The SAPs are tested for the growth of cosmos bipinnata plants and the results are presented. SAPs can be used as water management materials for agricultural and horticultural purpose in desert and drought prone areas. ( C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 20:146-154, 2001.