Modulating superabsorbent polymer properties by adjusting the amphiphilicity

ABSTRACT: The role of amphiphilicity in polysaccharide-based superabsorbent polymers is paramount in determining material properties. While the performance of freeze-dried polymers is improved by maximizing hydrophilicity, this may not be the case for evaporative-dried polymers. In this study, four diglycidyl ether crosslinkers, with varying chain lengths and amphiphilicities, were used to synthesize a series of evaporative-dried carboxymethyl cellulose-based superabsorbent films. Through structural and physiochemical characterization, the effect of amphiphilicity on swelling and mechanical properties was established. Contrary to freeze-dried polymers, it was found that the addition of hydrophobic moieties by crosslinking with novel poly(propylene glycol) diglycidyl ether crosslinkers increased the

SUBMITTER: Stocker C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9513321 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature